mpeg-4 patent or license... help needed

[Arnoud Galactus Engelfriet]

Anupam Anand wrote:
> can someone please put light on the mpeg-4 patent for me. does this 
> patent imply that people can not use any system that uses or produces 
> mpeg-4 in anyway.

Well, there's no single "mpeg-4 patent". There are several patents
in quite a few countries that cover certain technologies which
you need if you want to encode or decode MPEG-4. So in those
countries you need a license under those patents if you want to
make, use or sell (distribute) an MPEG-4 encoder or decoder.

> also, it seems that philips is promoting  mpeg-4 based systems.
> basically, i am confused. i was about to get a webcast delivery system 
> made when i came across this "mpeg-4 patent" issue.

MPEG licensing is not handled just by Philips. You should
go to MPEG LA (licensing association) if you want more
information, or if you want to obtain a license the easy way.

http://www.mpegla.com/

Kind regards,

Arnoud Engelfriet

-- 
Arnoud Engelfriet, Dutch patent attorney - Speaking only for myself
Patents, copyright and IPR explained for techies: http://www.iusmentis.com/
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