[FFmpeg-devel] [ANNOUNCE] upcoming vote: CC election

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Hello,

On Thu, 19 Dec 2024, at 04:40, Marth64 wrote:
> Statement #1 (NAB 2023)
> ----
> * Trademarked FFmpeg branding was used by a different organization
> without clear authorization.

Incorrect: FFmpeg is not trademarked in the USA.
Actually, in 2023, FFmpeg was not trademarked anywhere in the world.

> * Two or more contributors were present at the booth, resulting in a
> mixed image of brand ownership.

Incorrect: the booth was under the name VideoLabs, with VideoLabs name and logo, with VideoLabs on the map, the directory and so on.

Contributors to FFmpeg are on numerous booths at IBC/NAB, because incredibly, people have jobs in this industry.

> Statement #2 (NAB 2024)
> ----
> * Booth announced in Nov 2023 with "anonymous corporate sponsorship"
> and vague expense process.
> * There was a brief, heated exchange on the ML about the source of
> funding, but the booth was opened anyway.
> * FFmpeg contributors who passed by the booth questioned its
> legitimacy due to seeing nobody.
> * Ultimately the booth was revealed to be staffed but the thread
> exploded due to the initial disagreement.

The issue is that the booth was under the NAME FFmpeg, with FFmpeg name on the directory and maps, and website, searchable and indexed.

This booth was therefore supposedly representing the community, with the FFmpeg name, with dark sponsorship(?), where we still don't know who paid what for.

And finally, that FFmpeg booth finally became a GPAC booth, which was not announced at all.

Oh, and by that time, the FFmpeg was trademarked again.


The 2 situations are not the same at all: One claims to be from this community and uses the FFmpeg name, the other one does not make any claims.
Please don't confuse the 2 situations.


-- 
Jean-Baptiste Kempf -  President
+33 672 704 734
https://jbkempf.com/