Forgent Squeezing Money Out Of JPEG, Other Patents

deman1985 writes "Forbes reports that Forgent Networks, Inc., developer of scheduling software and holder of a number of technology patents, has settled with both Adobe and Sony for JPEG patent infringement and is going after numerous others to collect their fair share of royalties. The company also plans to go after PVR companies, including TiVo Inc, and MP3 player makers for other various patents they claim to hold. Sounds like more fun in the courts for everyone!" We previously reported on Forgent's JPEG patent shenanigans back in April.

Comments

Those Who Do Not Know History Are Doomed

[Pan T. Hose]

...to Repeat It. We all remember the problems with GIF just few years ago. We solved them changing every single image on the Internet to JPEG. We all have to admit that it was foolish. We're weak on logic, that's the trouble with us. We're like the guy in the story who was caught in a sudden shower and who ran to a grove of trees and got under one. He wasn't worried, you see, because he figured when one tree got wet through, he would just get under another one.

Re:Weak position from Jpeg.org

[kfg]

Check the site [jpeg.org] yourself, and try to find any pledge from them that the specifications for JPEG or JPEG2000 are safe to use.

In a day and age when it isn't safe to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or put out some toys for kids to play with while their parents do business with you, how do you expect them to make such a pledge?

KFG

Re:Opensource imlementations?

[Ender Ryan]

As a U.S. citizen myself, who is a software programmer, I worry nearly daily about the future of my career. Every week, I point out to everyone I know at least one ridiculous patent that is causing problems for businesses(usually small businesses) in this country. Most people don't care. I occasionally write my congress-critters, but that's relatively pointless too. Our politicians are 99% in the pocket of our corporations. I really believe that that isn't an exaggeration, but I could be somewhat off-base. In any case, we have a high rate of political corruption. That our politicians are working mostly for the corporations makes this a somewhat fascist country. It's not truly fascist yet, as there are many powers fighting each other for control, but we may get there some day.

What's the point of this ridiculous rant? Simple. Don't let this happen wherever you live. Please. I might move there some day, just so I can continue in my chosen profession.

As for your question... I don't think you should worry. If anyone bothers you, you can move your project somewhere else at that time. You have no obligation to care about this country's ridiculous IP laws.

Cheers!