[MEncoder-users] Patent free codec

[RC]

On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 14:20:08 +0200
Dominik 'Rathann' Mierzejewski <dominik at rangers.eu.org> wrote:

> That's because most of the algorithms in video encoding
> are patented and you can't develop a similar codec without
> using them. And Theora is similar to MPEG-4.

Same old flamewar...  

Theora guys say VP3 is free.

MPlayer guys say it's not.

VP3 guys mention that On2 hasn't ever been sued.  Then demand proof
(patent numbers) that Theora infringes on.

MPlayer guys don't have any patent numbers to list, and the thread dies
down.

MPlayer guys keep on saying it's patented.

Theora guys keep on saying it's not.


Meanwhile Theora is in perpetual alpha after 4+ years of development,
despite starting from a mature codec (VP3).  By the time it's a stable
release, all the patents on MPEG-4 will have expired, anyhow.