Re: [Rocky Caldwell thomson net: [David Neary]RE: MP3 licensing]

[Luis Villa <luis villa gmail com>]

(1) it doesn't really matter what we think, mostly it matters what the
distro creator thinks. In this case, assuming we go with Ubuntu, the
answer appears to be 'yes, we can.'

(2) I wouldn't object to a directory on the desktop with a title of
some sort like 'legacy files' or 'compatibility demo files', but I'd
like the primary focus of our content and demos to be about free
software and open formats.

Luis


On Wed, 2 Feb 2005 19:35:06 +0100, David Neary <dneary free fr> wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I mailed mp3licensing.com today to get an official position (and
> to ask whether they'd grant a permanent, irrevocable licence for
> GPL or LGPL implementations of the codecs. I got this answer.
> 
> So, officially, although this is not stated anywhere on their
> site, they allow non-commercial use.
> 
> Cheers,
> Dave.
> 
> ----- Forwarded message from Caldwell Rocky <Rocky Caldwell thomson net> -----
> 
> Subject: [David Neary]RE: MP3 licensing
> Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2005 09:07:16 -0800
> From: Caldwell Rocky <Rocky Caldwell thomson net>
> To: bolsh gimp org
> 
>  Dear David,
> 
> Thanks for contacting mp3 Licensing.
> 
> You are asking legal questions, and we do not provide legal advice.
> 
> However, obviously, mp3 implementations by GPL and LGPL software use the
> patents developed by Frauhofer and Thomson. Without the patents, there
> would be no GPL or LGPL mp3 software.
> 
> Usage of any patents is determined by the patent holders.
> 
> We are not prepared to issue and irrevocable, free patent license to GPL
> and LGPL software using our patents. We do allow non-commerical use of
> our patents.  However, the GPL and LGPL software allow onward
> distribution that can easily be non-commercial.
> 
> As the LAME software page states, "Using the LAME encoding engine (or
> other mp3 encoding technology) in your software may require a patent
> license in some countries."
> 
> Regards,
> 
> Rocky Caldwell
> 
> Director, mp3 Licensing
> 
> Thomson Patents and LIcensing
> 
> RB Courtyard, Suite 100
> 16935 W. Bernardo Drive
> Rancho Bernardo, CA 92127
> rocky caldwell thomson net
> 
> www.mp3licensing.com
> Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides end-to-end solutions
> (technologies, equipment and services) to the entertainment industries.
> To advance and enable the digital media transition, Thomson has four
> principal divisions: Content and Networks, Consumer Products,
> Components, and Licensing. The company distributes its products under
> the Technicolor, Grass Valley, THOMSON and RCA brand names.
> For more information: www.thomson.net
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Neary [mailto:dneary free fr] On Behalf Of David Neary
> Sent: Wednesday, February 02, 2005 1:58 AM
> To: *SAND MP3 Info
> Subject: MP3 licensing
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Would you mind explaining to me the implications of your patent claims
> on Free Software applications, please?
> 
> Do free software or open source applications which include an MP3
> decoder or encoder require an MP3 license? In this situation, what
> licensing fees are applicable? What jurisdictions are governed by these
> patents?
> 
> Would you be prepared to issue an irrevocable, free patent license to
> GPL and LGPL software implementing the MP3 codec?
> 
> I am unfamiliar with the legal issues involved, being European, but I
> would like to know more about your patent claims, and how they impact
> software I work on and with.
> 
> Regards,
> Dave Neary.
> 
> --
>         David Neary,
>         Lyon, France
>    E-Mail: bolsh gimp org
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----
> 
> --
>         David Neary,
>         Lyon, France
>    E-Mail: bolsh gimp org
> CV: http://dneary.free.fr/CV/
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