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MPEG 4, Windows Media 9 At War

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the stop-being-cheaper dept.

Andy Tai writes "According to this News.com report, backers of MPEG 4 are protesting Microsoft's licensing fee structure for Windows Media 9, which is up to 50% less than MPEG 4's. They accuse Microsoft of blocking the progress to move to an 'open standard' (MPEG 4), posing unfair competition and threatening consumer choice. Of course, what is really needed is a third choice, a totally Free Software media codec solution that's competitive with both Windows Media and MPEG 4."

3 of 523 comments (clear)

  1. Unfair? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Give me a break. Microsoft can offer its codec for less. We are living in a capitalistic society. If the MPEG Group wants its baby to survive, they should lower the price too.

    I hate it when people are putting the blame always at MS, pulling out the "monopoly" game. Lets face the truth: Can the MPEG Group COMPETE or not price-wise? If not, well, goodbye. Don't blame it on MS or whoever else.

  2. Wadya expect ... by Stumbles · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    from MS. That is one of thier favorit tactics. Cut the cost of their product, even if it means losing money to kill competition.

    --
    My karma is not a Chameleon.
  3. Definition of Open by sheldon · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    Open means the mechanism is documented so that competing companies can build solutions which are still interoperable with one another.

    It has absolutely nothing to do with the cost. Although an Open Standard which is free of licensing charges will likely be more widely adopted.

    You're confused on purpose... the Open Source people misuse the word Open. They did so purposefully, to distort the issues.