Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / Question for DBS team...

Author
Message
Kensupen
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 19th Sep 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 25th Nov 2002 02:31
I have a question about using MP3's and legality issues. I know that any software that plays MP3's has to buy a license to use their "technology". It's about $2500 per.
(You don't have to pay if you don't charge for your software)
How does this apply to making a DB game and selling it. Did you guys pay the licensing fees for using MP3's, or it that up to us to sort out?

-Kensupen
MushroomHead
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 25th Nov 2002 11:55
> It's about $2500 per.

They keep changing their licence agreements, first it was free, then they started charging, currently here's their updated link :-

http://www.mp3licensing.com/royalty/index.html

I think that "may" apply to us would either be either :-

- Under PC Software Applications, the "decoder" option of 0.75 per unit of your software you sell. Encoder is not necessary unless you're going to allow users to make their own MP3's in your software.

- Or under Games, the MP3 link $2500 per title (Commercial? Shareware?!? Who knows, suggest you contact them).

On the other hand you cna use Ogg Vorbis which sound a lot better and 100% free.

- Rav.
David T
Retired Moderator
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: England
Posted: 25th Nov 2002 19:48
Who owns the MP3 format? If we were all charged for using BMP files, then we would be in a lot of debt. Owning a format is like owning a language. It's just not really that practical.

$2,500 per title? That's mad!

I love Star Trek.
Especially the Episodes with Starships in.
DrakeX
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location:
Posted: 25th Nov 2002 23:15
not for companies who reel in millions of dollars a year.

see that's the thing i wonder about. if it's so bloody expensive for stuff, so expensive that only big companies can pay for it, and you're a small company, how are you supposed to buy it so you can become a big company? it's a paradox, i tell you!

i'm looking at yooooou!
Manic
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Completely off my face...
Posted: 26th Nov 2002 00:04
i believe that DBS gets round this by actually using windows to play back the mp3 track, thus sidestepping any issues. Why? because microsoft have already picked up the bill!

Manic

I don't have a sig, live with it.
actarus
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 29th Aug 2002
Location: 32 Light Years away
Posted: 26th Nov 2002 00:10
Yep.

Puffy
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 4th Sep 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 26th Nov 2002 06:44
yup hes right... i was worried about that a long time a go...

AMD Athlon XP 2100+ OC to 3Ghz/1.5gigs ram/128mb ti4200/120gigs hd/19" monitor/Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX/2.5mbs Sat Con... I joined in!

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2024-03-29 09:04:02
Your offset time is: 2024-03-29 09:04:02