[M4IF Discuss] What is the REAL advantage?

[Rob Koenen]

Bill,
> For Internet streaming, I know this is just Visual (not audio and systems)
> and it's understood that marketplace adoption will take time; 

I exect Systems to come along, I am more worried about Audio. My
expectations
may be proven wrong.
>  however, assuming the big three were willing to pay the $1 cap on the 
$1? That would be great for users. M$1 is more like it:-)
> decoder, and in some cases perhaps on the encoder, to allow unlimited 
> distribution, would
> they be subject to the content use fee of $0.02 per hour played if the
> content were downloaded and not streamed?  

AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND the difference between streaming and downloading is
moot. What counts is: is there renumeration for the content. If there is, 
I read the release as saying that the use-fee applies. In that case the
ENcoder would be royalty free (but hey, what is 25 cts on a professional
encoder anyway?)
> For some content only?  Also,
> would they be willing to then include server support as well, and include
> technology to enable webcasters to track and pony up the $0.02 for each
> unicast hour?  Would a webcaster see enough benefit in MPEG-4 that he/she
> would pay the $0.02 per hour.  What other questions do people have about
the
> licensing agreement?

That is indeed where there are big question marks. 
* How does it work in the case of 1 to many? (broadcast and webcast)
* How does it work when there is no direct renumeration like 5 USD per user
  per hour, but indirect, e.g. through advertising? (and maybe not all that 
  much either?)
Rob