In a move that seriously complicates things for Google’s plan for high-quality, patent-free, open source web video, MPEG LA has asked patent owners to report any patents that Google’s VP8 video technology utilizes.
According to MPEG LA, they are taking this step as part of a move toward the ability to provide a license, stating that they are “offer[ing] to facilitate development of a joint license to provide coverage under essential patents.”
For some, such as those who are focusing on VP8 and related WebM video technology, the news might be good. For others, it simply raises doubts that the technology will ever be available to those who don’t sign such a license, leaving them high and dry.
