OSNews: http://www.osnews.com/story/23258/MPEG-LA-owned_Patent_Troll_Sues_Smartphone_Makers Exploring the Future of Computing en-us Copyright 2001-2013, David Adams adam+nospam@osnews.com Mon, 20 May 2013 00:33:06 GMT http://www.osnews.com/images/osnews.gif OSNews.com http://www.osnews.com Both! http://www.osnews.com/thread?422949 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422949
Many others claim that the MPEG-LA won't ever go rogue (or this, take your pick).


Before we get going: both. At the same time. Don't care where. Yum

Sorry. Carry on. Just some lightheartedness for today's smile. Thu, 06 May 2010 13:54:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments This is obscene http://www.osnews.com/thread?422951 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422951 I hope that people can now see that MPEG-LA is pure evil.

Existing to 'license' things to people.... Sounds an awful lot like existing to charge people money for doing things they patented.

This kind of patent-trolling and blatant abuse of the system which was meant to improve innovation needs to stop.

I hope very strongly that google open-source VP8, that MPEG-LA sue them over some broad, all-enveloping patent, and that software patents are rendered null and void by a combination of that and Apple vs HTC. Thu, 06 May 2010 14:15:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (woegjiub) Comments What does the last line mean? http://www.osnews.com/thread?422953 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422953 What does the last line's crack about Flash video mean?

Flash video is mostly moving towards H.264, and anything that uses that codec via Flash faces the exact same issues.

To be precise Adobe are paying these guys already to distribute Flash, and if in 5 years they charge for web streaming it will apply regardless of if the video is watched via Flash or native in HTML5.

We've only been discussing this to death, you'd think we'd have mastered these subtle technical distinctions by now.

Plus, we shouldn't be annoying Adobe on this particular issue. By getting them to adopt VP8 (or if desperate using the already deployed VP6) they have the ability to decide this codec shenanigans in favour of royalty-free codecs if they want to. We'll need to serve something to the poor souls running IE6-8 and I'd rather not have multiple files if it's not necessary. Thu, 06 May 2010 14:28:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (MissTJones) Comments RE: What does the last line mean? http://www.osnews.com/thread?422954 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422954
What does the last line's crack about Flash video mean?


I meant it like this: you'd almost long for the days before this HTML5 video discussion. Thu, 06 May 2010 15:06:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments Pfft! http://www.osnews.com/thread?422958 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422958 Speed dial has been around for ages. Surely there must be prior-art there (unless they did something novel to it). Thu, 06 May 2010 15:22:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Drunkula) Comments RE: Pfft! http://www.osnews.com/thread?422959 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422959
Speed dial has been around for ages. Surely there must be prior-art there (unless they did something novel to it).


Most definitely. It was around before cell phones. I agree, there has to be prior art. Thu, 06 May 2010 15:26:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (DrillSgt) Comments RE: Both! http://www.osnews.com/thread?422962 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422962 You know Thom, for making our eyes bleed from exposure to a Palin picture, you're going to The Special Hell.

The one reserved for child molesters and people who talk in theatres. Thu, 06 May 2010 15:42:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Lazarus) Comments Madness. http://www.osnews.com/thread?422965 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422965 Where does the madness end.... I am speechless. Thu, 06 May 2010 16:08:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Wiseguy) Comments RE: What does the last line mean? - IE6~IE8? http://www.osnews.com/thread?422968 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422968 "serve something to the poor souls running IE6-8"

Why, not providing easy Youporn viewing will motivate them to upgrade to IE9.. MS has less IE6~8 to support and they push users forward to the current IE version (well, users that don't move to a better and more open browser). Thu, 06 May 2010 16:19:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (jabbotts) Comments RE: Madness. - the vote http://www.osnews.com/thread?422969 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422969 As someone put very well the other day; what can one expect when they keep voting lawyers into political offices. (can't remember the exact wording) Thu, 06 May 2010 16:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (jabbotts) Comments The logic in this article... http://www.osnews.com/thread?422972 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422972 The logic in this article is where?

It's not because the CEO of MobileMedia Ideas is the same, that the MPEG-LA itself has any connection to it, and certainly not that if Apple gets sued and has to pay, that Apple would receive any of the money this MobileMedia Ideas company would receive from them through this legal way...

Apple, Microsoft, or any other MPEG-LA member would only receive licensing money when someone takes a license for one of the patent pools which MPEG-LA manages, which includes their patents managed by the MPEG-LA. Nobody ever said these patents MobileMedia Idea's now sues for were ever in a pool managed by the MPEG-LA. Apple and Microsoft also have tons of patents for which they could sue any other MPEG-LA member when they would violate it.

While the MPEG-LA certainly isn't my favorite organisation, this article is just FUD. Thu, 06 May 2010 16:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (koffie) Comments RE: The logic in this article... http://www.osnews.com/thread?422974 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422974
. Nobody ever said these patents MobileMedia Idea's now sues for were ever in a pool managed by the MPEG-LA.


What are you on about? Nobody - certainly not this article - is suggesting anything like that.

I think you really need to actually READ the article. It seems like to me you didn't read AT ALL. Thu, 06 May 2010 16:22:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments RE: This is obscene http://www.osnews.com/thread?422975 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422975 It's not MPEG-LA that's suing - it's one of their members. And not for patents in the MPEG-LA-managed portfolio. This article is FUD - and you play ball... Thu, 06 May 2010 16:24:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (koffie) Comments RE[2]: This is obscene http://www.osnews.com/thread?422977 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422977 Right. The company is owned by the MPEG-LA, and headed by the SAME CEO as the MPEG-LA.

But that's all coincidental, right? Thu, 06 May 2010 16:30:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments I don't understand the complaint http://www.osnews.com/thread?422979 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422979 Either the patents are valid or they are not. Isn't this what people want? Basically, the primary concern now with patents in general, and MPEG-LA, is that their patent holding are FUD, that they hold their claims and threats over folks heads and through muddled statements.

Rather than saying "You may be in violation, and will need to license this", they're finally pulling the trigger and trying to enforce the patents. Which means they need to, in court, qualify and clarify their patent claims.

Once that's done, other can more readily (potentially) work around their patents and achieve the same functionality.

I would expect that the patent-free codec folks would embrace a lawsuit, as that seems like the only way they can get traction as a safe alternative by surviving the process instead of living under a cloud of threats, FUD, "I say, He says".

At least they're going after folks who's legal departments are mere blips on their balance sheets compared to Joe the Hacker who would need to mortgage their life. Thu, 06 May 2010 16:43:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (whartung) Comments RE[3]: This is obscene http://www.osnews.com/thread?422980 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422980 I bet you're also one of those irredeemable fools who believes that smoke and fire are related.

God dammit Thom, what is your problem? Thu, 06 May 2010 16:50:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (boldingd) Comments RE[4]: This is obscene http://www.osnews.com/thread?422984 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422984 It was so real,
Like I woke up in Wonderland.
All sorta terrifying
I don't wanna be all alone
While I tell this story.
And can anyone tell me why
Y'all sound like Peanuts parents?
Will I ever be coming down?
This is so real
Finally, it's my lucky day
See, my heart is racing
'Cause this shit never happens to me
-Tool, Rosetta Stoned

This is how I feel nowdays visiting OSNews, it's like Area 51 with Coffee shop. Excuse while I put diapers and fix my tin foil hat. Thu, 06 May 2010 17:18:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Karitku) Comments h264 is doubleplusgood! http://www.osnews.com/thread?422991 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422991 "Hi! I'm Larry Horn.

As said in this article, at MPEG-LA, we've always gone after anybody in need of a license, to offer them one, because we're nice like that.

Also, h264 is open, whereas Theora isn't free. It would be better for you to "goodthink different", like John Gruber does.

Also note that all iPhone apps will soon have to be coded in objective-newspeak, a new language which won't compile if your app contains porn or political cartoons (and some other undiscosed reasons - just remember: if it doesn't compile, it is crimecode).

Finally, by the end of 2016, MPEG-LA will rename itself the ministry of love-LA. We are currently training our agents on the model of the ones who investigated the stolen iPhone case."Edited 2010-05-06 18:05 UTC Thu, 06 May 2010 17:49:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments RE: What does the last line mean? http://www.osnews.com/thread?422993 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422993 With flash, you can use whatever codec is installed on the computer. That's an advantage over HTML5 (but that's not comparable: one is a third-party application, the other's a standard). Thu, 06 May 2010 18:09:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?422994 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422994
The MPEG-LA is shackling the web (and beyond) to H264 and its patents, so that it will be able to collect royalties until the end of time, and sue anyone who dares to step out of line. Their behaviour is harming innovation, and a direct threat to the freedom of the web. MobileMedia Ideas' patent troll behaviour is only a taste of what's to come if we allow H264 to ruin the web even further.


Thom, you are starting to sound like Stallman. Thu, 06 May 2010 18:52:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (koki) Comments RE: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?422997 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422997 Re: Stallman: even a broken clock is right twice a day. Thu, 06 May 2010 19:22:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (David) Comments RE: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?422998 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422998 Well, I restrict my freedom nonsense to the web, where it belongs. I strongly believe that the web should be accessible by anyone, with whatever device they choose, no matter how wealthy they are.

If that makes me sound like Stallman, then so be it. I'd rather be associated with a free and open web than with Apple and Microsoft anyway. Thu, 06 May 2010 19:23:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments RE[2]: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?422999 http://www.osnews.com/thread?422999 http://benward.me/blog/understand-the-web

Even Gruber linked to it. Thu, 06 May 2010 19:46:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Radio) Comments RE: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?423015 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423015 Thing about Stallman, I used to think he was crazy. Of late though, seeing the crap these big patent trolls and corporate types keep pulling, I'm wondering if maybe he's not quite as crazy as I thought. Thu, 06 May 2010 21:07:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (darknexus) Comments RE: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?423048 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423048 You can think Stallman crazy all you want, but when I look at who is on the other side of Stallman... I think I would rather stand with him. Fri, 07 May 2010 00:04:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (ShadesFox) Comments RE[2]: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?423049 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423049 At least you acknowledge that it is nonsense. Fri, 07 May 2010 00:05:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (koki) Comments RE[2]: Comment by koki http://www.osnews.com/thread?423052 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423052
You can think Stallman crazy all you want...


I did not say Stallman was crazy. I wanted to point out how the last paragraph from Thom resembled a bit Stallman's radical discourse.

I do know that Thom is not a radical, though; in fact, he seems to be a rather practical person, who uses Windows 7 to watch his favorite Hollywood shows. Fri, 07 May 2010 00:13:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (koki) Comments Time for an anti-trust lawsuit http://www.osnews.com/thread?423056 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423056 I want to see the DoJ take on MPEG-LA and blast them until there's nothing left but a smoking hole in the ground. Fri, 07 May 2010 00:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (obsidian) Comments that's it http://www.osnews.com/thread?423088 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423088 I'm getting rid of me Buggles cds. Trevor Horn can't mess with me and get away with it ;-) Fri, 07 May 2010 06:53:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (mikesum32) Comments RE: that's it http://www.osnews.com/thread?423089 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423089 Internet killed the video star… Fri, 07 May 2010 06:56:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Kroc) Comments Comment by kaiwai http://www.osnews.com/thread?423093 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423093 The one thing I'd love to see is something along the lines of a law passed that if a technology becomes so critical to the economy that a small group can hold hostage millions due to patents - that the law would allow some sort of organisation to grab the patents and allow royalty free implementation of that given technology. That is about the only way one can see a balanced approach to software development, especially when one considers that h264 isn't just a CODEC, it is a major piece of technology that permeates ever part of a persons life; from online movies to cam corders, to applications, digital television, digital music and so on. Something with such a large grip on the economy can be allowed to hold the whole economy to ransom because a noble intention has been screwed beyond belief into the current situation with patents. Fri, 07 May 2010 07:20:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (kaiwai) Comments How to treat patents http://www.osnews.com/thread?423112 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423112 -A patents is owned by all individuals who participated to its creation
-They can't transfer its property
-Once all of them have died, the patent is released in public domain and its ideas cannot be patented anymore

Problem solved. Why didn't we do this right the first time ?Edited 2010-05-07 10:21 UTC Fri, 07 May 2010 10:10:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Neolander) Comments RE: How to treat patents http://www.osnews.com/thread?423114 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423114
Problem solved. Why didn't we did this right the first time ?


Oh we did, just like copyright. It's just that once money gets involved, governments get involved. While either money or government involvement is no problem, both at the same time is an explosive mix.

Kind of like Martini and Amaretto, really. Fri, 07 May 2010 10:13:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Thom_Holwerda) Comments RE[2]: How to treat patents http://www.osnews.com/thread?423163 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423163 When you mix politics and money you get corruption.
Just look at the lobbyists, financial markets etc.

Greece is only the start, we haven't learned anything from the past 400 years, but that is "off topic".

Although, . . . why not kill patent trolls, they are evil and nonhuman! Probably aliens trying to disturb our world. Let do it the french way, chop of some heads. Fri, 07 May 2010 14:59:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (Janvl) Comments RE: Time for an anti-trust lawsuit http://www.osnews.com/thread?423173 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423173 Unless the DOJ finds a way to also get payola. Patent holding companies seem to have a way to attract lots of lobbyists. Fri, 07 May 2010 15:51:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (bnolsen) Comments Patent troll? http://www.osnews.com/thread?423297 http://www.osnews.com/thread?423297 I thought a patent troll was someone who patented a lot of "ideas" without ever developing them into a product just to sue others.

The MPEG people got a product, and ideas/implementations which may or may not be worth protecting. Sat, 08 May 2010 23:39:00 GMT donotreply@osnews.com (aliquis) Comments