From didier.metzen1@libertysurf.fr  Thu Nov 30 12:37:08 2000
Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000 13:37:08 +0100
From: Didier Metzen didier.metzen1@libertysurf.fr
Subject: [Patents] Re: MPeg patent enforcement

And do you think that "basic pinciples of psychoacoustic" could be patented? It's not
software.

Didier

PILCH Hartmut a crit:

> > > By the way, two companies are now trying to get fees from their patent on MPEG
> > > algorithm. One is german, the second is french.
> >
> > There is no such thing as a patented MPEG algorithm.
> > Rather, some of the basic principles of psychoacoustics which are used in
> > MP3 are patented.
> > Likewise, there is no GIF patent.
> >
> > > Does somebody know where these patents have been granted?
> >
> > Via the EPO in most European countries.
> > see http://www.mp3-licensing.com
>
> Also:
>
>         http://www.mpegla.com
>
> The tendency is clear:  gradually a lot of patents are bundled together
> into patent consortia which professionally go after maximising the
> profits.  Sooner or later they will pursue anyone who works against their
> interest, if they are allowed to.  What is happening with the cluster of
> mpeg-related patents today may happen with a cluster of memory management
> related patents tomorrow.  In that case it will no longer be allowed for
> to program a free operating system.
>
> -phm





