0
Let's say H.264 is a proprietary codec which is protected by patents owned by various parties. However, there is a open source h264 encoder called "x264". Do I need to pay royalty fee for using open source codecs?
user762750
Posted 2019-05-30T03:35:19.583
Reputation: 119
1
It would depend on the particular codecs. If the codec is freely distributed, the difference between proprietary and open-source would not be of concern to you as end-user unless you plan to distribute the codec yourself.
If you do want to distribute the software, then read the license information to see if it allows distribution (e.g. GNU "copyleft") or contact the codec vendor. The GNU license is free to use and distribute, and you cannot charge for its use. Other licenses vary; contact the vendor.
N.B. If a third party were to make available a codec that violates copyright of the original owner, you might be breaking the law in distributing it.
DrMoishe Pippik
Posted 2019-05-30T03:35:19.583
Reputation: 13 291
Thnaks for the reply, what about the royalty fee? Do I have to pay to use a open source encoder (x264) which the standard (H.264) is patent protected? – user762750 – 2019-05-30T04:01:44.347