Today FFmpeg has received the first legal threat in its existence. Its from a previous root admin of FFmpeg, who now is root admin of the Libav fork of FFmpeg. He claims copyright on the zigzag part of our logo. It has to be noted that he said 4 years ago Credit to whoever came up with the zigzag idea
Update May 31/June 1:We have replaced the logo with a better looking one drawn by Hervé Flores.
Legal issues are a constant source of questions and confusion. This is an attempt to clarify the most important issues. The usual disclaimers apply, this is not legal advice.
FFmpeg is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL) version 2.1 or later. However, FFmpeg incorporates several optional parts and optimizations that are covered by the GNU General Public License (GPL) version 2 or later. If those parts get used the GPL applies to all of FFmpeg.
Read the license texts to learn how this affects programs built on top of FFmpeg or reusing FFmpeg. You may also wish to have a look at the GPL FAQ.
Note that FFmpeg is not available under any other licensing terms, especially not proprietary/commercial ones, not even in exchange for payment.
The following is a checklist for LGPL compliance when linking against the FFmpeg libraries. It is not the only way to comply with the license, but we think it is the easiest. There are also a few items that are not really related to LGPL compliance but are good ideas anyway.
FFmpeg is a trademark of Fabrice Bellard, originator of the FFmpeg project.
A lot of legal questions surrounding patents arise when discussing multimedia technology. This mini-FAQ attempts to address these issues. Note that much of this discussion is based on precedent, or what has happened in the past under similar circumstances. Very little consideration is given to what could happen. If you use your imagination, you can visualize any dire scenario and cease doing any productive work.
Q: Does FFmpeg use patented algorithms?
A: We do not know, we are not lawyers so we are not qualified to answer
this. Also we have never read patents to implement any part of FFmpeg,
so even if we were qualified we could not answer it as we do not know
what is patented. Furthermore the sheer number of software patents makes it
impossible to read them all so no one (lawyer or not) could answer
such a question with a definite no, those who do lie.
What we do know is that various standards FFmpeg supports contain vague
hints that any conforming implementation might be subject to some patent
rights in some jurisdictions, examples for such statements are:
For H.264:
ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practice or implementation of this Recommendation may involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property Rights, whether asserted by ITU members or others outside of the Recommendation development process.
And for MPEG-4:
The user's attention is called to the possibility that, for some of the processes specified in this part of ISO/IEC 14496, conformance with this specification may require use of an invention covered by patent rights. By publication of this part of ISO/IEC 14496, no position is taken with respect to the validity of this claim or of any patent rights in connection therewith.
Q: Is it safe to use such patented algorithms?
A: Patent laws vary wildly between jurisdictions, and in many countries
patents on algorithms are not recognized. Plus the use of patents to
prevent the usage of a format or codec on a specific operating system
or together with specific other software might violate antitrust laws.
So whether you are safe or not depends on where you live and how judges
interpret the law in your jurisdiction.
Q: Bottom line: Should I be worried about patent issues if I use FFmpeg?
A: Are you a private user working with FFmpeg for your own personal purposes?
If so, there is remarkably little reason to be concerned. Are you using FFmpeg
in a commercial software product? Read on to the next question...
Q: Is it perfectly alright to
incorporate the whole FFmpeg core into my own commercial product?
A: You might have a problem here. There have been cases where companies
have used FFmpeg in their products. These companies found out that once
you start trying to make money from patented technologies, the owners of
the patents will come after their licensing fees. Notably, MPEG LA is
vigilant and diligent about collecting for MPEG-related technologies.