[vtkusers] Re: Packaging vtk: patents

[Ken Martin]

> > an important issue with packaging and offering vtk packages in some 
> > countries is whether it contains any patented code. I've read about 
> > expired patents and algorithms removed due to not yet expired 
> > patents, but what about the mpeg2 encoding support?
> >
> > Doesn't this include patented software/algrothms that the MPEGLA 
> > requires loyalities for?
> >
> > If yes, could it perhaps be shipped seperately, so source and binary 
> > packages can be completely patent-free?
> 
> could someone please comment on the patent issues? mpeg and otherwise?

I don't believe mpeg code should ever have been moved into VTK. Our policy
as of a couple years ago has been to not put patented code into VTK but have
them be optional third party libraries that you must download separately.
Clearly that is not the case any more :(

Ken