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Maui X-Stream Tries Again With 'Zentu'
oil-can writes "The guys behind CherryOS announced Zentu Encoder today, saying Zentu is the the third generation of their VX30 codec. DrunkenBlog warns about the product with references to their history." Zentu is an encoding platform that boasts the ability to export video in a quick efficient way to either a Flash or Java based system with an interface for both inexperienced and power users.
firs /. reader that finds an OSS project that is doing the same, gets the prize! (remember to check freshmeat, sourceforge, berlios, alioth and tigris).
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#\ @ ? Colonize Mars
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Evil is as Zentu probably does
November 02, 2005
Apparently Maui X-Stream is hyping their new product, The Zentu Platform, which is billed as the third generation of their VX30 Codec and a video encoding tool for streaming media. Riiiiight.
They've got a press release and everything.
*bangs head against desk* You couldn't make this stuff up if you tried, and I have a feeling when someone takes the time to deconstruct Ventu they'll find interesting things. For newer readers who don't understand why I'm mixing brandy with the coffee before noon after seeing this, the company behind Ventu has an.. interesting... history when it comes to their video encoders and other products.
The following links should be enough to get you up to speed, especially if you go in reverse chronology.
* MXS and CherryOS archives, where you'll want to start with The Pits in CherryOS.
And then the ones on VX30, which are more directly applicable to Zentu:
* MXS and VX30 archives, where you'll want to start with Deconstructing Maui X-Stream.
The stuff Jim Kartes and Arben Kryeziu pull makes my soul hurt, and it's made worse by the fact that I'm not supposed to talk much about them while some legal things still unravel.Thank god for Yano, who is the only IP lawyer I'm aware of running around in a Cow shirt on weekends.
yummy alcohol posted button posted by drunkenbatman at: 12:02 PM
Meant to say VX30, and it's the SAME THING. Jeeze... there are half a dozen different GPL projects being ripped off here; I wonder how many companies have bought this software? Has anyone told Geico about this?
Silicon & Charybdis McLuhan Kildall Papert Kay
The intention is to use legal basis to let their customers know that they're using software under the wrong license.
Probably a better idea would be to explain to them how they can do exactly what they got from MXS, but legally and respecting the GPL. Then let them know that they can avoid any legal repercussions by using the software legally, rather than paying a company to steal.
I think most companies if hit with the information that what they were sold is actually free, and the only thing that the people who originally wrote it is just to respect their license, use it legally, and *gasp* free (as in beer) that most companies would opt for that, especially if it had them avoid any legal details.
Basically something like, "Just to let you know, we're suing the Maui X-Stream due to their illegal inclusion of our GPL software without our permission. If we are successful, then this suit may place you in a legally vulnerable position, because you're using software that was not properly licensed, and MXS has been offering no amnesty for their users. If you want to avoid this potentially damaging situation, we can provide you free information about how to provide the exact same service you were getting from MXS, but in compliance with copyrights, and without further cost to you."
I am unamerican, and proud of it!