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Java Media Framework Drops MP3

Posted by chrisd on from the more-ammo-for-ogg dept.

realinvalidname writes "Sun had stopped downloads of its Java Media Framework about a week ago due to an undisclosed 'licensing issue.' Now we know what it is, as they've removed MP3 encoding and decoding from the JMF that's downloadable now. Of course, this isn't surprising given recent news about new MP3 licensing terms."

5 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. not the reason?? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Maybe someone should check out this article first:

    "Thomson has never charged a per unit royalty for freely distributed software decoders. For commercially sold decoders - primarily hardware mp3 players - the per-unit royalty has always been in place since the beginning of the program," a spokesman said"

    "A Thomson spokesman told NewsForge's Robin Miller that it was a ruse by Ogg Vorbis advocates to get publicity.® "

    http://www.theregus.com/content/4/26153.html

    1. Re:not the reason?? by ftobin · · Score: 5, Informative

      You're getting your information from a PR person. I'm getting mine from the licensing page. I see no such exception for free decoders.

  2. Javalayer MP3 Player by jpavel · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fortunately, there is an open source Java MP3 decoder, JavaLayer that I've found to work quite nicely.

  3. Re: Java Bug 4499904 by bunratty · · Score: 5, Informative

    Adding support for Ogg Vorbis and Tarkin is bug 4499904 in the Bug Parade. This seems like a good time to vote for the bug and add your comments.

    --
    What a fool believes, he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.
  4. No, Don't mod parent up by hayden · · Score: 5, Informative
    From the article you posted:
    [In reference to charging licence fees] For commercially sold decoders - primarily hardware mp3 players
    Keyword, "primarily" meaning mostly but not only hardware decoders. Also:
    Therefore, there is no change in our licensing policy
    Keyword, "policy" meaning yes the licence has changed but our intent currently remains the same.

    Basically Thompson have said they currently don't plan to sue anyone making a software decoder but they don't grant you the right to use their patent either. Nobody selling or planning on selling software can use their patent without risk of infringement (and compensation pays triple if you knowingly infringe a patent) and being sued by Thompson in the future.

    What some PR flack said doesn't change that. It's only what's in the licence that counts.

    Next time, when you post a story that's clearly going to cause paranoia and misunderstanding, try to be a bit more adult about it.
    Next time when you are clearing posting to spread misinformation and crap, try posting as you so you can get modded down for it.
    --
    Nerd: Derogatory term typically directed at anybody with a lower Slashdot ID than you.