Quote:
Originally Posted by photon
The whole point of WebM and VP8 is to have something completely open that no one has to pay to use, if I want to write a web browser I can make one that plays WebM media without having to get a license or restrict the license of the software I make.
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That logic all goes out the window with me, because Google owns VP8. Google's only interest in an open web is screen space for advertising. What happens in 5 years, when they change the license agreement on their codec and everyone is on the hook?
It's already started with Google re-writing the WebM license to specifically protect Google from patent infringement, should the open-source aspect go away.
Edit: Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a free and open web. Unfortunately, nothing on this planet is truly free and someone always owns something. I would much rather just pay a fee upfront for a guaranteed service, than get something for free now with the hidden promise of strings later. I'm not saying this will or will not happen, it's just the way I look at things. I trust an open exchange of payment with a guaranteed service agreement far more than a "click here for free" future version of the Web.
This is a really good topic, though. This Google vs Apple thing has a lot of layers to it.