Here's an update:

http://newsforge.com/article.pl?sid=02/08/29/1633205&mode=nested&tid=17

Apparently Thomson recently removed the following clause from their license: "No license fee is expected for desktop software mp3 decoders/players that are distributed free-of-charge via the Internet for personal use of end-users."

However, a Thomson spokesman says: "that its policy has always been to allow free use of the company's MP3 patents in "freely distributable software" while charging royalties to all commercial software or hardware makers that use Thomson's MP3 technology."

He is not asked why the clause was removed. That seems to be an obvious question that needs to be answered.

Note also that the GPL may be too restrictive for MP3 decoders. The GPL allows software created with it to be sold, and the Thomson *stated* policy doesn't allow this without paying the distribution fee. Thus you probably won't see it bundled in any Linux distro that is for sale.

So though it's still a bit murky for my tastes, it looks like MAD et al are safe for now.

--Reed http://jreceiver.sourceforge.net