Codecs from Real

[Llorean]

Just remembered one other aspect of my conversation with Real. Unfortunately I'm not at my computer, so I can't bring it up in IRC.

There was mention of an exception being made to some of their standard policies in regards to GPL licensing of codecs for the XO / OLPC laptop. So, it might benefit someone to look around in the source for that, since it's a semi-low power system, and see which of their A/V codecs may have new licenses there, and if so, if they're written in such a way that we can use them.

[zajacattack]

So, does this mean there is a better chance of rockbox being able to play real formats?

Sidenote: What's up with the MP3 decoder? I read on the wiki that there's some current legal issues.

[saratoga]

Sidenote: What's up with the MP3 decoder? I read on the wiki that there's some current legal issues.

Assuming "the MP3 decoder" refers to "Real's MP3 decoder", we can't use it because Real owns it and won't give us suitable licensing terms.

[safetydan]

If you're just talking about straight MP3, then there are a number of patents that apply to it. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3#Licensing_and_patent_issues for details. However this only affects countries in which software patents can be enforced (notably the USA).

[scharkalvin]

Note that if you are installing rockbox on a player that already plays mp3's you have a license to use the mp3 decoder by virtue of owning the player!  (IANAL!)

[zajacattack]

OK, so the issue mostly arises in the U.S. if rockbox begins selling its own players?

[Llorean]

They're separate MP3 decoders though, except in the case of the Archoses. Since Rockbox implements its own MP3 codec, it's very likely that everyone could agree that we're an MP3 decoding software.

Meaning, basically, the issue would arise if Rockbox were being sold, or if hardware were being sold with Rockbox preinstalled. But neither of those are on-topic to this thread.