OT: Media format patents and commercial installations
David Timms
dtimms at bigpond.net.au
Sat May 27 02:38:06 UTC 2006
Axel Thimm wrote:
> On Fri, May 26, 2006 at 08:00:47AM +1000, David Timms wrote:
>> I am interested in building FC5 based installations for commercial sale.
>> One of the requirements is the capability to play back media of as many
>> types as possible (eg using mplayer/xine/vlc). While Fedora core/extras
>> can't contain patent encumbered nor non-open source software, in general
>> terms is there anything to stop me selling such a box ?
>>
>> eg. for mpeg2 / 4 playback I could use the various libraries available.
>> Does anyone know if other parties have been able to negotiate with the
>> patent holders (I guess MPEG) individual licenses for linux machines ?
>
> Yes, I had been in contact with MPEGLA in a previous contract
> assignment.
>
>> Is it hideously expensive ?
>
> The costs are minimal. The pain is in the burocracy.
>
Callum wrote:
>> Linspire has done it. For their for-profit distribution. And yes, its
>> hideously expensive.
Perhaps the license for a OS product is looked at differently from small
runs (5-10) of OEM boxes (what I was anticipating).
Axel, is the costs protected under contract ? If not are you willing to
state ball park figures eg per machine ? Was it like $1/2/5/10/20/50/100
per machine ?
Thanks, DaveT
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