[Fsfe-uk] BBC and the Dirac codec

[Nick]

The BBC planning to release their archives on the internet, combined 
with the BBC's free Dirac video codec could be a great step forward for 
freedom.

BBC/Lessig co-operate over a creative commons:
http://digital-lifestyles.info/display_page.asp?section=distribution&id=1254

BBC's Dirac codec (Demonstrated at the GNU/Linux Expo)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/rd/projects/dirac/overview.shtml

The Dirac team are looking for a plan for the future direction of the 
codec. IMO, If the codec can be made production ready quickly, perhaps 
the archive could leverage the free dirac format instead of some 
proprietary/ patent restricted codec. The dirac team have brought the 
codec to the current state of development in just 18 months.

http://sourceforge.net/forum/forum.php?forum_id=353620

It is sad the BBC felt they need to patent ideas in Dirac to protect 
Dirac from attack. The BBC has avoided ideas which may be covered by 
other patents in the implementation of Dirac.

I understand from the developers the BBC's patents over Dirac are 
licensed for use in free software implementations of Dirac through the MPL.