[M4IF News] MPEG-4 Visual License scheme announced

[Rob Koenen]

> The statements are bit(??) confusing. For example, since the 
> $.25 is for a decoder for "private use" only, is it true that
> - if a service provider were to provide a player download, 
> then there is no  cost?
> - $.25 is the cost per player?
> - there is no agreement yet for a player that will be able to 
> watch content provided by a service provider?
> 

I hope the licensors or their representatives can shed some light
on these and other questions that might arise. The language in
the release is open for more than one interpretation. 
Not having taken part in these talks, and having read them only today,
I can only say: in general you would only charge once. So if you are 
charging for usage, then maybe you shouldn't charge for the decoder 
as well.
The way I read it is that the 25 cents is per player copy (HW or SW).
Rob
ps: we are setting up a discussion list discuss   lists.m4if.org
for discussing issues like this.
Subscription details will be here:
http://www.m4if.org/public/publiclistreg.html shortly.
I will send another announcement on this list when the new list
is up and running.
The "discuss" list will be for non-technical discussions on MPEG-4.