Welcome to Doom9's Forum, THE in-place to be for everyone interested in DVD conversion. Before you start posting please read the forum rules. By posting to this forum you agree to abide by the rules. |
20th August 2010, 21:19 | #1 | Link | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Minsk, Belarus
Posts: 235
|
FFMPEG violate MPEGLA licensing?
Where is the THRUTH?
As neuron2 say: Quote:
Quote:
Where is the THRUTH? |
||
20th August 2010, 21:23 | #2 | Link |
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 21,901
|
Thank you for starting a dedicated thread about it as I originally requested! Keep this civil and do not discuss forum rules or their interpretation and we can have a fine discussion about it.
The truth is this: FFMPEG is in violation. They are a supplier of AVC decoders to end users and so are subject to MPEGLA licensing. A licensed supplier that happens to supply FFMPEG cannot pass its license backwards to FFMPEG. If FFMPEG supplies to end users, it must be licensed, period. And it makes no difference whether they supply the decoder free. This was personally told to me today by telephone by Ryan Rodriguez, a licensing agent for MPEGLA. Since FFMPEG supplies decoders directly to end users via its download page, it must be licensed by MPEGLA. Of course if they want to fight the patent pool on other grounds, good luck with that. *** EDIT: As seen below, the FFMPEG project is *not* in violation, to the extent that they do not supply binaries, because source code is not a "product". I am sorry for my incorrect statement about this (which originated from a not fully clear phone conversation with MPEGLA), and for any confusion/bad feelings it may have engendered. *** |
20th August 2010, 21:38 | #7 | Link | |
もこたんインしたお!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Finland / Japan
Posts: 512
|
Quote:
But we shall see, thanks for taking the time and calling out to MPEG-LA. Now that's a good question as well. These kind of things do actually affect most, if not all, of us.
__________________
[I'm human, no debug]
|
|
20th August 2010, 21:39 | #8 | Link |
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 21,901
|
Ryan has just clarified that indeed source code is not a "product" in the required sense. He clarified that anybody creating a product using FFMPEG source code is a supplier, so anyone compiling and supplying the binary library would be subject to licensing.
I will clarify my original post. Thank you for educating me about that important distinction. Isn't it interesting how civil discourse can quickly lead to a resolution of disagreements where insults and profanity cannot. |
20th August 2010, 21:41 | #9 | Link | |
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 21,901
|
Quote:
Note that DGDecNV is not affected as it does not supply the decoder. |
|
20th August 2010, 21:42 | #10 | Link |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,340
|
Sorry if this is a dumb question , but is there a distinction between commercial distribution and non-commerical ?
For example, I can download ffdshow from sourceforge , and that has various MPEG2/4 decoders, would they need a license ? EDIT: sorry I didn't see the last post about decoders before posting |
20th August 2010, 21:49 | #11 | Link | |
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 21,901
|
Quote:
If only source code is supplied, then no license is required. |
|
20th August 2010, 22:02 | #15 | Link | |
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 21,901
|
Quote:
Please feel free to call Ryan directly, as he is very friendly and helpful. Here is the exchange I had earlier when I asked for the materials I need for licensing: ----- Hi, Don. Thank you for your kind remarks. It is my pleasure to assist you and I am glad to know that my explanation was helpful. As promised, today I will send you an execution copy of our AVC License for your signature. You should receive the License document shortly via FedEx. In the meantime, if you have additional questions or need assistance during your review, just let me know. I look forward to hearing from you again soon. Best regards, Ryan Ryan M. Rodriguez Licensing Associate 5425 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 801 Chevy Chase, MD 20815 USA Telephone: +1 301 986 6660 x211 Fax: +1 301 986 8575 Email: rrodriguez@mpegla.com -----Original Message----- From: Donald Graft [mailto:donald.graft@cantab.net] Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 2:46 PM To: Ryan Rodriguez Subject: RE: AVC licensing for very small provider? Hello Ryan, Thank you very much for taking the time to advise me and for the PDF of the AVC license agreement. The situation is now crystal clear after your cogent explanation. Please do send me the license file for execution. My company can be listed simply as neuron2, as that is my identity for sales of my product. So: neuron2 c/o Donald A. Graft [snip address and phone numbers] Once again, thank you for your prompt attention and for making contacting MPEGLA a very pleasant experience. best regards, Don >Hi, Donald. > >Thank you for taking my call. It was a pleasure speaking with you. > >As discussed, I have attached a .pdf copy of our AVC License for your >easy reference. Please note that the electronic copy is provided for >informational purposes only. When signing the License, only the hard >copy provided by MPEG LA may be used. Therefore, if you will please >provide your company and physical mailing address, I will be send you an >execution copy of the License immediately FedEx. > >I look forward to hearing from you again soon. > >Best regards, > >Ryan > >Ryan M. Rodriguez >Licensing Associate >5425 Wisconsin Avenue >Suite 801 >Chevy Chase, MD 20815 >USA >Telephone: +1 301 986 6660 x211 >Fax: +1 301 986 8575 >Email: rrodriguez@mpegla.com ----- |
|
20th August 2010, 22:21 | #18 | Link | ||
もこたんインしたお!
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Finland / Japan
Posts: 512
|
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
[I'm human, no debug]
|
||
20th August 2010, 22:25 | #19 | Link |
Guest
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 21,901
|
Yes, in fact I was surprised how easy it is to get licensed. For little people like you and I, there are no royalties due to the low volumes. If you get to the point of having to pay royalties, you will be very happy about it.
|
Tags |
neuron2 qed |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|