[REBOL] Re: JPEG patent
From: carl:cybercraft at: 19-Jul-2002 23:59
On 19-Jul-02, Chris wrote:
> On Thursday 18 July 2002 23:24, you wrote:
>>> http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/26272.html
>>> JPEGs are not free: Patent holder pursues IP grab
>> The article is talking about "transmitting", with streaming being
>> what they're interested in long-term I suspect. REBOL can only read
>> JPGs, so, maybe it doesn't qualify? How was the GIF patent sorted
>> out? Is it that you need a licence to both read & write them, or
>> just for writing?
> "Forgent has the sole and exclusive right to use and license all the
> claims under the '672 patent that implement JPEG in all "fields of
> use" except in the satellite broadcast business. Forgent's "fields
> of use" for licensing opportunities include digital cameras, digital
> still image devices, personal digital assistants (PDA's), cellular
> telephones that download images, *browsers*, digital camcorders with
> a still image function, scanners and other devices used to compress,
> store, manipulate, print or transmit digital images. "
> (taken from the forgent webste, my emphasis)
They may have just said "browser" to cover all bases, (maybe some
browsers convert images to jpeg from other formats for some reason or
other?), but they don't specifically mention viewing or reading
digital images. If they meant that, you'd think they would've said
it - and I'm sure The Register would've mentioned it if they
could've, as it'd make a more sensational story, right?
--
Carl Read
