[Asterisk-Users] G.72[69]

[Kevin Walsh]

Steve Underwood [steveu at coppice.org] wrote:
> Eric Wieling wrote:
> > This message in the mailing list archives will allow you to register
> > for an account with the ITU and then download up to three
> > specifications for free, including the G729 source code.
> > 
> > http://lists.digium.com/pipermail/asterisk-dev/2004-September/006347.html
> >
> All the implementations of G.729 I have seen are based on that code.
> However, even the troll will agree that is encumbered by copyrights.
> That definitely cannot be used for anything free. Since it is the basis
> of Intel's IPP implementation, it means anything based on that also has
> the same copyright issues. 
> 
The ITU codec can only be used to clarify aspects of the specification
and commercial use is specifically denied.  You are apparently asked
to agree to this before downloading and can therefore get into trouble
if you break this agreement.

There are various other G.729 implementations, some of which are based
upon the ITU code.  A specific licensing agreement will probably have
been signed prior to the usage and release of code based upon the ITU
source.

I have no idea what Intel's IPP code is based upon as they haven't
released the source, to my knowledge.  If they are using ITU code then
they will either have permission to do so or will have lawyers kicking
down their door as we speak.

Anyone can license the Intel code for commercial use.  I think the
price is around $200 per year.  The commercial license allows the
developer to distribute an IPP runtime library along with their code.
If someone was to license IPP from Intel, they would therefore be
legally able to distribute the G.729 codec and the required IPP
runtime in any way they see fit.

Of course, anyone not living in a free country will have to pay the
per-channel G.729 tax to the monopolists anyway, so there's not a lot
to be gained if you're one of these poor unfortunate individuals.
We've been over this before so check the archives if you need
clarification on this matter.

I suggest simply ignoring G.729 and using a different codec.  Anyone
stupid enough to have locked themselves into technology that can only
deal with G.729 can consider this a lesson for the future, and should
investigate ways to phase out their dependency.

-- 
   _/   _/  _/_/_/_/  _/    _/  _/_/_/  _/    _/
  _/_/_/   _/_/      _/    _/    _/    _/_/  _/   K e v i n   W a l s h
 _/ _/    _/          _/ _/     _/    _/  _/_/    kevin at cursor.biz
_/   _/  _/_/_/_/      _/    _/_/_/  _/    _/