Linh Pham

Software patents should have never been allowed to become a legit thing.

Ars Technica: AV1's open, royalty-free promise in question as Dolby sues Snapchat over codec

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/03/av1s-open-royalty-free-promise-in-question-as-dolby-sues-snapchat-over-codec/

#SoftwarePatents

AV1’s open, royalty-free promise in question as Dolby sues Snapchat over codec

Big Tech declaring AV1 royalty-free “doesn't mean that it is."

Ars Technica
Mar 28 at 12:11amWeb
Show threadARGVMI~1.PIF3d ago

@qlp

“Only because Big Tech says a codec should be royalty-free doesn’t mean that it is. … Given that all codecs use somewhat similar techniques, the risk of an infringement of patents belonging to parties who did not offer royalty-free licenses is substantial,” intellectual property activist and commentator Florian Mueller told Ars Technica.

If all codecs use similar techniques, then does that not make these patents invalid on the basis of being obvious and non-novel?

Show threadARGVMI~1.PIF3d ago

@qlp

Also, if “all codecs” includes old ones like VP3, any patents for which have expired by now, then does that not mean VP3 is prior art?