on 1/5/07 2:56 AM, Giovanni wrote:

> Licensing for most of the apps you mentioned is a bear.
> 
> MP3: Playback licensing is required and costly. $10,000.00 (Unless the
> underlying technology is licensed). In Windows, it is cover under
> directx for PLAYBACK only. There is no provision for Mac as far as I
> know, please tell me if I'm wrong. I would love to know.
> http://www.mp3licensing.com/royalty/software.html

But none of us are creating our own MP3 playback decoders.  On the Mac, RB
developers are utilizing Apple's QuickTime technology (which comes
pre-installed on Macs) to play MP3 files. Apple's QuickTime already has this
licensed for playback, so I believe that is covered under the QuickTime
license.


> Windows Media Technologies: Licensing is free under Windows but not free
> on any none-windows platforms including the Mac.
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/licensing/final.aspx#WindowsMedi
> aAudioStandardVersion_Final

Again, none of us are creating our own Windows Media playback decoders.
Since the playback of Windows Media files on the Mac is done through Apple's
QuickTime technology (using the free WMP QuickTime component), I believe the
playback licensing for that is covered as well under the QuickTime license.

These kinds of licensing threads come up on the mailing list every 6 months
or so, and the answers given are always varied.  No one seems to ever know
the definitive answer.

Of course, most of us on this list are not attorneys, so for the best
guidance and legal advice, I'm sure a licensing attorney would probably be
able to best answer these questions.

If someone does know the definitive answers on these topics, then please
correct me if I'm wrong.  This is an important topic to me as well.

--Dave



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