Opus codec - Vectis IP patent pool :(

[hajj_3]

A patent pool for opus has been created:(

https://www.vectis.com/media/vectis-ip-launches-patent-pool-for-the-opus-codec
https://www.opuspool.com/patents

[john33]

There's a thread on HydrogenAudio about this:https://hydrogenaud.io/index.php/topic,123159.0.html

[Selur]

Seems like the opus market coverage got large enough for others to care about it,...

[FranceBB]

What is this actually going to mean in practical terms?

[john33]

I believe the short answer is nothing, unless you're using it commercially, and even then it's highly suspect.

[oibaf]

FWIW, active European patents for the 1 October 2023 patent list (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6320833a3a69fc3ce89db3ff/t/6539058bc99e6e6077da693e/1698235788370/Opus+Patent+Pool+-+Licensed+Patents+-+01+Oct+2023.pdf), their expected expiration dates and patents litigation (according to Google Patents):


2026-06-30 : EP 1873754 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP1873754A1/de)
2028-10-08 : EP 2144171 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2144171B1/de) - court
2029-06-23 : EP 2304723 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2304723B1/de) - court
2029-06-23 : EP 2352147 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2352147B1/de) - court
2029-12-11 : EP 3364414 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3364414B1/de)
2031-06-23 : EP 2589046 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2589046B1/de)
2031-06-23 : EP 2757560 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2757560B1/de)
2031-06-23 : EP 3079152 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3079152B1/de)
2031-06-23 : EP 3079153 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3079153B1/de)
2031-06-23 : EP 3422346 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3422346B1/de)
2031-06-23 : EP 3605534 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3605534B1/de)
2031-10-04 : EP 2625688 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2625688B1/de)


EDIT: added note to patents litigation.

[hajj_3]

updated the U.S patent list to add more lawsuits and add expired label:

US7447631 - 2024-10-07 EXPIRED
US7516064 - 2026-01-30 lawsuit
US8195454 - 2029-03-28
US8296159 - 2029-06-23
US7873511 - 2029-11-18
US10229696 - 2030-08-23
US9082395 - 2031-07-23 lawsuit
US9224403 - 2032-02-04 lawsuit
US8892449 - 2032-02-10
US9111530 - 2032-02-29 lawsuit
US9100768 - 2032-04-04
US8457975 - 2032-04-05
US20130226570 - 2033-06-10
US9589571 - 2033-07-19
US11081117 - 2033-07-19
US10026408 - 2034-05-23

European patents added expired label and added new lawsuits. Some patents are no longer listed as having a lawsuit on google patents, not sure whether those patents are invalidated or not. Whenever patents are invalidated they aren't listed as expired on google patents so we don't know whether they were invalidated or not:

EP2207170 - EXPIRED
EP1873754 - 2026-06-30
EP2144171 - 2028-10-08 - no longer listed as a lawsuit filed on google patents
EP2352147 - 2029-06-23 - no longer listed as a lawsuit filed on google patents
EP2304723 - 2029-06-23 - no longer listed as a lawsuit filed on google patents
EP3364414 - 2029-12-11
EP3605534 - 2031-06-23 lawsuit
EP2589046 - 2031-06-23 lawsuit
EP3079153 - 2031-06-23 lawsuit
EP3422346 - 2031-06-23 lawsuit
EP3079152 - 2031-06-23 lawsuit
EP2757560 - 2031-06-23 lawsuit
EP2625688 - 2031-10-04

[oibaf]

updated the U.S patent list to add more lawsuits and add expired label:
US7447631 - 2024-10-07 EXPIRED
US7516064 - 2026-01-30 lawsuit
US8195454 - 2029-03-28
US8296159 - 2029-06-23
US7873511 - 2029-11-18
US10229696 - 2030-08-23
US9082395 - 2031-07-23 lawsuit
US9224403 - 2032-02-04 lawsuit
US8892449 - 2032-02-10
US9111530 - 2032-02-29 lawsuit
US9100768 - 2032-04-04
US8457975 - 2032-04-05
US20130226570 - 2033-06-10
US9589571 - 2033-07-19
US11081117 - 2033-07-19
US10026408 - 2034-05-23


Many of them are not in the document at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6320833a3a69fc3ce89db3ff/t/6539058bc99e6e6077da693e/1698235788370/Opus+Patent+Pool+-+Licensed+Patents+-+01+Oct+2023.pdf ?

[oibaf]

Anyway, here are all the patents with known, future expiration date, as well as priority date (second field) and presence of litigation, according to Google Patents:

2025-01-21 : 2004-02-19 : CA2554381 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2554381/en) :
2026-01-30 : 2004-02-19 : US7516064 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US7516064/en) :
2026-06-30 : 2006-06-30 : EP1873754 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP1873754/en) :
2026-07-01 : 2006-06-30 : DE602006002739 (https://patents.google.com/patent/DE602006002739/en) :
2027-05-16 : 2006-06-30 : AU2007264175 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2007264175/en) :
2027-05-16 : 2006-06-30 : CA2656423 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2656423/en) :
2027-05-16 : 2006-06-30 : JP5205373 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP5205373/en) :
2028-02-20 : 2007-02-26 : US10586557 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10586557/en) :
2028-02-20 : 2007-02-26 : US9418680 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9418680/en) :
2028-02-20 : 2007-02-26 : US9818433 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9818433/en) :
2028-10-08 : 2008-07-11 : EP2144171 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2144171/en) :
2028-10-08 : 2008-07-11 : ES2683077 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2683077/en) :
2029-06-04 : 2008-07-11 : CA2730195 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2730195/en) :
2029-06-04 : 2008-07-11 : JP5551692 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP5551692/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : AU2009267531 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2009267531/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : CA2730232 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2730232/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : EP2304723 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2304723/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : EP2352147 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2352147/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : ES2396927 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2396927/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : ES2439549 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2439549/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : JP5325293 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP5325293/en) :
2029-06-23 : 2008-07-11 : US8275626 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US8275626/en) :
2029-06-26 : 2008-07-11 : AU2009267466 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2009267466/en) :
2029-06-26 : 2008-07-11 : JP5551695 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP5551695/en) :
2029-10-07 : 2008-10-08 : AU2009301358 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2009301358/en) :
2029-10-07 : 2008-10-08 : CA2739736 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2739736/en) :
2029-11-18 : 2006-06-30 : US7873511 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US7873511/en) :
2029-12-11 : 2008-10-08 : US8447620 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US8447620/en) :
2029-12-11 : 2008-12-15 : AU2013203159 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2013203159/en) :
2029-12-11 : 2008-12-15 : CA2989886 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2989886/en) :
2029-12-11 : 2008-12-15 : EP3364414 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3364414/en) :
2030-02-11 : 2008-07-11 : US8612214 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US8612214/en) :
2030-03-05 : 2009-03-17 : AU2019222947 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2019222947/en) :
2030-03-05 : 2009-03-17 : US11315576 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US11315576/en) : litigation
2030-03-11 : 2008-10-08 : US9043215 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9043215/en) :
2030-03-13 : 2008-07-11 : US8595019 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US8595019/en) :
2030-04-06 : 2008-12-15 : US10937437 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10937437/en) :
2030-08-16 : 2008-12-15 : US9058802 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9058802/en) :
2031-03-25 : 2010-03-26 : US10522159 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10522159/en) :
2031-03-25 : 2010-03-26 : US11217258 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US11217258/en) :
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : AU2019204026 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2019204026/en) :
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : AU2019240610 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2019240610/en) :
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : AU2020294304 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2020294304/en) :
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : CA3045686 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA3045686/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : CA3105050 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA3105050/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : JP6677846 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6677846/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : JP6740496 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6740496/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : JP6817486 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6817486/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : JP6886069 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6886069/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : US10360920 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10360920/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : US10475459 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10475459/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : US10475460 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10475460/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : US10553226 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10553226/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : US10734002 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10734002/en) : litigation
2031-04-06 : 2010-04-09 : US11217259 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US11217259/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2011273680 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2011273680/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2015200065 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2015200065/en) :
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2016204303 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2016204303/en) :
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2016204672 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2016204672/en) :
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2017276206 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2017276206/en) :
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2017276209 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2017276209/en) :
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : AU2020201647 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2020201647/en) :
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA2929090 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2929090/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA2937672 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2937672/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA2958350 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2958350/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA2958360 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2958360/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA3025108 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA3025108/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA3093517 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA3093517/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : CA3124114 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA3124114/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : EP2589046 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2589046/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : EP2757560 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2757560/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : EP3079152 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3079152/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : EP3079153 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3079153/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : EP3422346 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3422346/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : EP3605534 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP3605534/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : ES2484794 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2484794/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : ES2666150 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2666150/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : ES2683647 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2683647/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : ES2691934 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2691934/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : ES2902392 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2902392/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : JP6258257 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6258257/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : JP6679433 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6679433/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : JP6682683 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6682683/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : JP6812585 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP6812585/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : JP7147090 (https://patents.google.com/patent/JP7147090/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US11183200 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US11183200/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US9396736 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9396736/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US9552824 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9552824/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US9558753 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9558753/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US9558754 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9558754/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US9595270 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9595270/en) : litigation
2031-06-23 : 2010-07-02 : US9858940 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US9858940/en) : litigation
2031-10-04 : 2010-10-06 : AU2011311659 (https://patents.google.com/patent/AU2011311659/en) :
2031-10-04 : 2010-10-06 : CA2813859 (https://patents.google.com/patent/CA2813859/en) :
2031-10-04 : 2010-10-06 : EP2625688 (https://patents.google.com/patent/EP2625688/en) :
2031-10-04 : 2010-10-06 : ES2530957 (https://patents.google.com/patent/ES2530957/en) :
2032-02-10 : 2008-07-11 : US8892449 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US8892449/en) :
2032-04-05 : 2009-01-28 : US8457975 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US8457975/en) :
2033-07-19 : 2012-07-19 : US10460737 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10460737/en) :
2033-07-19 : 2012-07-19 : US11081117 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US11081117/en) :
2034-05-23 : 2013-05-24 : US10468039 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10468039/en) :
2034-05-23 : 2013-05-24 : US10468040 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10468040/en) :
2034-05-23 : 2013-05-24 : US10468041 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10468041/en) :
2034-05-23 : 2013-05-24 : US10726853 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US10726853/en) :
2034-05-23 : 2013-05-24 : US11315577 (https://patents.google.com/patent/US11315577/en) :

[hajj_3]

patent list was updated on november 1st 2024: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6320833a3a69fc3ce89db3ff/t/67444395be0cee777c3fc0a0/1732526997801/Opus+Patent+Pool+-+Licensed+Patents+-+01+Nov+2024.pdf

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“NTT”) has joined the patent pool with 1 patent - JP5442888, they are also now a licensor.

Dolby added 1 more patent - US11610595

Here is a list of the U.S patents:

US 9396736 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 9558753 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 9858940 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 9552824 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 9558754 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 11610595 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 11183200 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 9595270 2031-06-23 lawsuit
US 8050933 EXPIRED
US 9418680 2028-02-20
US 9818433 2028-02-20
US 10586557 2028-02-20
US 11217258 2031-03-25
US 10522159 2031-03-25
US 11081117 2033-07-19
US 10460737 2033-07-19
US 10468039 2034-05-23
US 10726853 2034-05-23
US 11315577 2034-05-23
US 10468041 2034-05-23
US 10468040 2034-05-23
US 10360920 2031-04-06 lawsuit
US 10475459 2031-04-06 lawsuit
US 10475460 2031-04-06 lawsuit
US 10734002 2031-04-06 lawsuit
US 11217259 2031-04-06 lawsuit
US 10553226 2031-04-06 lawsuit
US 11315576 2030-03-05 lawsuit
US 7873511 2029-11-18
US 8892449 2032-02-10
US 8612214 2030-02-11
US 8275626 2029-06-23
US 9043215 2030-03-11
US 8447620 2029-12-11
US 8457975 2032-04-05
US 9058802 2030-08-16
US 8595019 2030-03-13

[hajj_3]

The patent list was updated on 1st June 2025 but has only just been published for some reason, here is the list: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6320833a3a69fc3ce89db3ff/t/69131deb0dcb6b251a441657/1762860523907/Opus+Patent+Pool+-+Licensed+Patents+-+1+June+2025.pdf

There is a net-increase of 22 more patents.

[hajj_3]

Dolby have now sued Acer and Beko over their use of Opus:

https://www.juve-patent.com/cases/dusseldorf-local-division-hears-dolby-vs-beko/
https://www.opuspool.com/media/vectis-opus-patent-pool-licensor-enforces-against-acer-before-the-upc