This article has been imported from chorus.fm for discussion. All of the forum rules still apply. The MP3 format is about to have the patents surrounding it expire. Here’s Jason Snell, writing at Six Colors on what that means: One of the companies who held patents covering some uses of the MP3 format has terminated its licensing program because its patents have run out. What this means is not that the MP3 format is about to evaporate, but rather, that lots of audio software that previously avoided encoding files into MP3 will now be free to support it without paying a tithe to Fraunhofer. This is great news for everyone. I’ve spoken to several developers of audio and MP3-related software who have been watching the clock run out on MP3 patents so that they could release MP3 features into the world—both in brand-new apps as well as existing ones—without buying into Fraunhofer’s expensive licensing regime. And Marco Arment: Until a few weeks ago, there had never been an audio format that was small enough to be practical, widely supported, and had no patent restrictions, forcing difficult choices and needless friction upon the computing world. Now, at least for audio, that friction has officially ended. There’s finally a great choice without asterisks. MP3 is supported by everything, everywhere, and is now patent-free. There has never been another audio format as widely supported as MP3, it’s good enough for almost anything, and now, over twenty years since it took the world by storm, it’s finally free. I still remember the first MP3 I downloaded (it was The Simpsons’ theme song) and not understanding how it was such a small file. I was blown away. Expand - View Original
First illegal download was prob Marilyn Manson - Dope Show Or Harvey Danger - flagpole sitter Or Korn 1998
Nope and nope, though. Joking aside: Seriously read the articles, they're good and explain why the patents on file formats (like AAC) suck!
So maybe in the future this means the MP3 will improve now that it's now its own thing, and not own by anyone? Either way, I'm glad this won't negatively effect the MP3. I know it isn't the best format out there, but it is my favorite (Just based off of convenience though).
I think my first few illegal downloads were : LTJ- sugar in your gas tank Assorted Jelly Beans - no brain Dashboard Confessional - again I go unnoticed [ was actually a super raw demo that I've never heard since :( ] Ps. I sincerely hope this turns into a thread about all our first napster downloads
Does anyone have a good AAC version of the LAME-encoded V2 or V0 MP3's? Honestly, that's half the reason I stick with MP3.
Actually you know what. That could've also joined my 3 or so. And maybe that Star Wars weird al American pie song