--- Forwarded Message from [log in to unmask] --- >Date: Wed, 23 Jul 2003 22:46:49 -0400 >From: [log in to unmask] >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #7086 legal status of Mpeg4 video codec >References: <[log in to unmask]> >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> >User-Agent: Internet Messaging Program (IMP) 3.2.1 ------------------ Quoting LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]>: > --- Forwarded Message from "Michal Krynicki" <[log in to unmask]> --- > > >From: "Michal Krynicki" <[log in to unmask]> > >To: "IALLT listserv" <[log in to unmask]> > >Subject: legal status of Mpeg4 video codec > >Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 15:08:56 -0500 > >Importance: Normal > > Dear colleagues, > > Is anybody using VirutalDub to compress video materials and does anybody > know what is the legal status of Microsoft Mpeg-4 video codec (as it appears > in VirtualDub)? My question is essentially this: is it legal for me to use > Microsoft Mpeg-4 Video codec that comes with VirtualDub to compress video > materials for use in the language lab at an educational institution? > > Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated. sorry for delayed response, guess I was inundated in March. MPEG-4 is an IEEE standard (the guys who came up with FireWire, WiFi, etc.) and is not in fact owned by Microsoft (thank god!). As I understand it, many corporations and interested parties contributed to the creation of the standard (much like Bluetooth, also by IEEE) with the understanding that once finalized it's fair game. I suspect there is a licensing fee negotiated between the manufacturer of the software application (VirtualDub, Quicktime, Discreet Cleaner, etc.) and IEEE, a cost which gets passed to the consumer in the software license. The format itself is non-proprietary, just as we don't have to pay for using/making jpegs (but we certainly pay for Photoshop). related note: Hyrogenaudio recently compared AAC codec software, and apparently Quicktime came out on top: http://rarewares.hydrogenaudio.org/test/aac128test/presentation.html Hope this helps, and if I erred in any details, fellow subscribers please advise. Also: can someone please contact me off-list about the Digital Exchange? I thought it sounded very interesting, but couldn't make it to that particular SIG in Ann Arbor. thanks, Zach