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MPEG-4 Visual Format Becomes Fully Patent-Free After Final Patent Expires

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The last remaining patent covering the MPEG-4 Visual video codec has officially expired, marking the end of the format's patent encumbrance. MPEG-4 Visual, a widely used video compression standard, had been protected by a portfolio of patents held by various rights holders for decades. The expiration means developers and companies can now implement the codec without licensing fees or legal risk. This milestone follows a broader trend of older multimedia formats gradually entering the public domain as their patents lapse.

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MPEG-4 Visual Format Becomes Fully Patent-Free After Final Patent Expires · ShortSingh