[Freegis-list] Re: ECW and MrSID and JPEG2K

[Bernhard Reiter]

On Tue, Jun 18, 2002 at 08:22:55PM -0500, Wes Felter wrote:
> Here's the scoop on JPEG 2000 patents straight from the committee:
> 
> "In the case of technology submitted for consideration by JPEG for
> incorporation in Part 1 of FCD 15444 Version 1.0 (the document available for
> download), the JPEG committee understand that the individual members
> concerned will make available licenses to use this IPR, on a royalty and fee
> free basis, under specified conditions which may apply only to conforming
> implementations of this standard."
> 
> http://www.jpeg.org/FCD15444-1.htm

The restriction of "conforming implementations" renders it unusable 
for Free Software as you loose the freedom to study the program, 
learn how it works and use the knowledge.

An updated specification would force you to change your independent
implementation. You could not use any source code implementing this
for other purposes.  This effectively cuts the freedom to innovate
and build your innovation on the existing Free Software.

Furthermore there does not seem to be precautions that the licenses
cannot be terminated or changed later.

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