[M4IF Discuss] Apple settles MPEG-4 dispute?

[William J. Fulco]

Rob,
Thanks. Got it.  I understand about MPEG-LA's requirements... I was under
the impression that a firm/licensee could "make their own deal" with the 18
holders outside of the MPEG-LA context if they wanted to - or should I say -
are big enough to endure the cost of negotiating 18 agreements. I didn't
pick-up Steve's specific comment about dealing with MPEG-LA - guess it just
went in one eyeball and came out the other :-)
Does your comment "and (most) licensors are *bound* to non-discriminatory
licensing through promises they made to ISO during the standardization
process."  mean that in fact, no one COULD make a deal with the gang-of-18
outside of the terms (equal-to at least) of an MPEG-LA deal?
++Bill
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discuss-admin   lists.m4if.org
> [mailto:discuss-admin   lists.m4if.org]On Behalf Of Rob Koenen
> Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2023 1:32 PM
> To: 'William J. Fulco'; discuss   lists.m4if.org
> Subject: RE: [M4IF Discuss] Apple settles MPEG-4 dispute?
>
>
> Bill,
>
> > Rob,
> >
> > So what's happening here exactly?  Apple is saying the "pressure" on
> MPEG-LA
> > will yield "an acceptable" license or is Apple working out a separate
> > agreement with the 18 patent holders (or with MPEG-LA) on
> > it's own to cover MPEG-4 ?
>
> I neither work for Apple, nor am I involved in the talks that
> MPEG LA holds
> with licensors or licensees, but since you are asking me ... the answer,
> as I understand it, is the first of your options. Pressure will yield (is
> yielding)
> an acceptable license. See http://news.com.com/2100-1040-932419.html -
> quoting:
> "Jobs says that Apple is close to making a pact with MPEG LA, [...]"
>
> There is NO WAY that MPEG LA will cut a deal with Apple that it will
> not cut with anyone else too. MPEG LA is committed to non-discriminatory
> licensing, and (most) licensors are *bound* to non-discriminatory
> licensing
> through promises they made to ISO during the standardization process.
>
> As I understand it, MPEG LA is talking to many potential constomers
> about the final shape of the license. Apple's move (and Jobs' comments)
> indicate that the serious concerns that Apple raised a few months back
> have made way for confidence that things will be resolved.
>
> This, in turn, gives me good hope.
>
> The only thing that we now require is SPEED. We need to get the
> license out
> there and available SOON (as in "NOW").
>
> Rob
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