MPEG-LA targets Google’s VP8 Video Codec

“First, Google opened up its VP8 video codec. Then, Google
removed built-in support for the MPEG-LA patent encumbered H.264
video codec from its Chrome Web-browser in favor of VP8. After that
it was only a matter of time before the MPEG-LA patent consortium
came gunning for Google VP8.

“As a MPEG-LA representative told ZDNet’s Ed Bott, “Yes, as we
have said in the past, we believe VP8 uses many patents owned by
different parties. To the extent VP8 includes technology owned by
others, then a pool license which removes uncertainties regarding
patent rights and royalties by making that technology widely
available on the same terms to everyone would be beneficial to the
market.”

“In a statement, Google said that “MPEG-LA has alluded to a VP8
pool since WebM launched–this is nothing new. The Web
succeeds with open, community-developed innovation, and the WebM
Project brings the same principles to web video.”

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