[FFmpeg-cvslog] [ffmpeg.org]: r78 - trunk/src/legal

[diego]

Author: diego
Date: Sun May 27 21:41:05 2007
New Revision: 78

Log:
wording/spelling/grammar


Modified:
   trunk/src/legal

Modified: trunk/src/legal
==============================================================================
--- trunk/src/legal	(original)
+++ trunk/src/legal	Sun May 27 21:41:05 2007
@@ -44,20 +44,20 @@
 this. Also we have never read patents to implement any part of FFmpeg,
 so even if we were qualified we could not answer it as we do not know
 what is patented. Furthermore the sheer number of software patents makes it
-impossible to read them all so noone (lawyer or not) could answer
+impossible to read them all so no one (lawyer or not) could answer
 such a question with a definite no, those who do lie.
 What we do know is that various standards FFmpeg supports contain vague
 hints that any conforming implementation might be subject to some patent
 rights in some jurisdictions, examples for such statements are:
 <br>
-For h.264:
+For H.264:
 <blockquote>
 ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practice or implementation of this Recommendation may
 involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence,
 validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property Rights, whether asserted by ITU members or others
 outside of the Recommendation development process.
 </blockquote>
-And for mpeg4:
+And for MPEG-4:
 <blockquote>
 The user's attention is called to the possibility that, for some of the processes specified in this part of ISO/IEC
 14496, conformance with this specification may require use of an invention covered by patent rights.
@@ -68,12 +68,12 @@
 <p>
 <b>Q: Is it legal to use such patented algorithms?</b>
 <br>
-A: Patent laws change wildly between jurisdictions. Further, even in places where
+A: Patent laws change wildly between jurisdictions. Besides, even in places where
 software patents are recognized, there is serious doubt about the legitimacy of such
-legislation. Note patents on algorithms are illegal in many countries, also
+legislation. Note that patents on algorithms are illegal in many countries. Plus
 the use of patents to prevent the usage of a format or codec on a specific
 operating system or together with specific other software might violate
-anti trust laws.
+antitrust laws.
 
 <p>
 <b>Q: Bottom line: Should I be worried about legal issues if I use FFmpeg?</b>
@@ -83,10 +83,10 @@
 in a commercial software product? Read on to the next question...
 
 <p>
-<b>Q: Since FFmpeg is licensed under the LGPL, is it perfectly all right to
+<b>Q: Since FFmpeg is licensed under the LGPL, is it perfectly alright to
 incorporate the whole FFmpeg core into my own commercial product?</b>
 <br>
-A: You might have a problem here. Sure the LGPL allows you to incorporate the
+A: You might have a problem here. Sure, the LGPL allows you to incorporate the
 code. However, there have been cases where companies have
 used FFmpeg in their projects, usually for such capabilities as superior
 MPEG-4 decoding. These companies found out that once you start trying to
@@ -97,24 +97,24 @@
 <p>
 <b>Q: You called the patent license fee protection money, is this a joke?</b>
 <br>
-A: No, the legal validity of these patents is highly questionable, still in
-the current judiciary systems it is very easy to ruin a company with patents
+A: No. The legal validity of these patents is highly questionable. Still in
+many current legal systems it is very easy to ruin a company with patents
 even if the patents are invalid. Paying the (small) license fee is much cheaper
 than a patent lawsuit during which you would not be able to sell your product
 as the patent would be valid until you win the lawsuit 5+ years in the future.
-That is assuming you did not go bankrupt before...
+That is assuming you did not go bankrupt in the meantime...
 
 <p>
-<b>Q: Can I be safe if I've payed my protection money.</b>
+<b>Q: Can I be safe if I have paid my protection money.</b>
 <br>
 A: You can never be safe as long as your country recognizes software
-patents for valid. There are companies that own many patents, pay and
+patents as valid. There are companies that own many patents, pay and
 cross-license for other companies patents, but even such companies are
 being found guilty of infringing some obscure little-known
-lousy-related patent and end up paying millions for it.
-That's why lobbing against software patents is in your interest.
+patent and end up paying millions for it.
+That's why lobbying against software patents is in your own interest.
 Of course none of this is related to you using FFmpeg or another codec
-implementation, if you want to be safe the only option is to not touch
+implementation. If you want to be safe the only option is not to touch
 any software at all.
 
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