MP3 is dead, long live AAC

engadget.com

2 pointsriobard3 comments

> The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, announced that it had terminated licensing for certain MP3-related patents

What's the implication? My understanding is that MP3 is now patent-free. The wording seems to indicate that there are still valid patents on MP3.

They have terminated their licensing program because there is nothing to license anymore. The patents have run out.

I wonder if "certain MP3-related patents" is an attempt by Fraunhofer to narrow or clarify their claim. I have a couple guesses.

1. Perhaps Fraunhofer doesn't own all the patents associated with MP3 and they only want to claim terminating the licensing for their own IP.

2. Perhaps they meant "certain patents related to MP3". In other words, Fraunhofer licensing for other IP not related to MP3 could still be in effect.

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