[Freeciv-Dev] Re: MP3 Patent Issues

["Sam BC" <sambc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Sam BC

> but they had a patent on the actual format, I believe. No-one has such
> patents on MP3. They only have patents on the encoding algorithm.

Just to make myself more clear on that matter, with GIF, the compression
*technique* (LZW) was patented, perhaps in addition to the algorithms.

With MP3, the technique is an open standard subject to no patents. The
algorithms, on the other hand, can be developed and therefore patented by
any party under whatever legal system they choose (with exceptions such as
Europe).

So MP3 *files* and the *format* are guaranteed patent-free, while the
*en*coding algorithms are patentable. So as long as we are not
developing/using encoding software in freeciv we are in the clear.

The hey difference is that the LZW technique is patented, but MP3 is not,
and indeed cannot be.


SamBC