[asterisk-users] Software patents (was G723 on asterisk 1.4.1)

[Steve Underwood]

Atis Lezdins wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 6:34 AM, Andrew Joakimsen <joakimsen at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>> On Sun, Mar 23, 2008 at 11:34 PM, Tilghman Lesher
>> <tilghman at mail.jeffandtilghman.com> wrote:
>>     
>>> It is completely illegal in any country that recognizes patents.
>>>       
>> You mean countries that recognize software patents, right?
>>     
>
> As resident of country where the file is hosted - yes we don't have
> software patents, they have been proposed to EU and reject few years
> ago. So by law - software is algorithm and can't be patented.
>
> In local laws we even are allowed to reverse-engineer software for
> needs of compatibility and interoperability. So, writing code for
> commercial codec and using it for interoperability with hardware
> devices (you purchased) is allowed by law.
>
> Damn, we even have a law that don't allow bittorrent trackers, as
> bittorrent file is considered breaking copyright law.. Ironic :p
>
>   
>>     
>>> Please do NOT discuss ways to use unlicensed codecs on this list or any other forum
>>> provided by Digium.  This has been discussed multiple times as to why not,
>>> and I don't feel like rehashing the argument again.
>>>       
>> I did not know you were a moderator on this list.
>>
>>     
>>> contributory infringement
>>>       
>> What if  I make a page that explains the patent issues and then
>> provide a link to http://asterisk.hosting.lv/ from that site and only
>> provide people on this list a link to my site? What if I provide a
>> link to the Google search for "asterisk g723?" Where do we draw the
>> line? If that site is so illegal, why hasn't it been taken down? Why
>> hasn't the patent holder at the very least provided Google with a DMCA
>> notice?
>>
>>     
>
> I guess because it's completely legal here, and there's a disclaimer on page:
> DISCLAIMER: You might have to pay royalty fees to the G.729/723.1
> patent holders for using their algorithm.
>
> It all depends on country and laws.
>   
There are a few algorithmic speedup patents around, what can accelerate 
codecs like G.729 and G.723.1, and which are purely software patents. 
Most of the relevant patents are *not* software patents. Don't confuse 
"software patent" with "something running on a computer".

Patents applicable to speech coding are perfectly valid in the vast 
majority of countries. Certainly in all the EU countries.

Regards,
Steve