Petter Reinholdtsen: Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard?

Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard?

2010-12-25 20:25

The +Digistan definition of a free and open standard reads like this:

+ +

+ +
The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows:
+ +
+ +
A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.
+ +
The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.
+ +
The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.
+ +
The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.
+ +
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
+ +
+ +
The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard.
+

+ +

For a while now I have tried to figure out of Ogg Theora is a free +and open standard according to this definition. Here is a short +writeup of what I have been able to gather so far. I brought up the +topic on the Xiph advocacy mailing list +in +July 2009, for those that want to see some background information. +According to Ivo Emanuel GonÃ§alves and Monty Montgomery on that list +the Ogg Theora specification fulfils the Digistan definition.

+ +

Free from vendor capture?

+ +

As far as I can see, there is no single vendor that can control the +Ogg Theora specification. It can be argued that the +Xiph foundation is such vendor, but +given that it is a non-profit foundation with the expressed goal +making free and open protocols and standards available, it is not +obvious that this is a real risk. One issue with the Xiph +foundation is that its inner working (as in board member list, or who +control the foundation) are not easily available on the web. I've +been unable to find out who is in the foundation board, and have not +seen any accounting information documenting how money is handled nor +where is is spent in the foundation. It is thus not obvious for an +external observer who control The Xiph foundation, and for all I know +it is possible for a single vendor to take control over the +specification. But it seem unlikely.

+ +

Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation?

+ +

Assuming that the Xiph foundation is the organisation its web pages +claim it to be, this point is fulfilled. If Xiph foundation is +controlled by a single vendor, it isn't, but I have not found any +documentation indicating this.

+ +

According to +a report +prepared by Audun Vaaler og BÃ¸rre Ludvigsen for the Norwegian +government, the Xiph foundation is a non-commercial organisation and +the development process is open, transparent and non-Discrimatory. +Until proven otherwise, I believe it make most sense to believe the +report is correct.

+ +

Specification freely available?

+ +

The specification for the Ogg +container format and both the +Vorbis and +Theora codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +

+ +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +

+ +

The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +RFC 3533, and +this is the term:

+ +

+ +
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English.
+ +
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
+

+ +

All these terms seem to allow unlimited distribution and use, an +this term seem to be fulfilled. There might be a problem with the +missing permission to distribute modified versions of the text, and +thus reuse it in other specifications. Not quite sure if that is a +requirement for the Digistan definition.

+ +

Royalty-free?

+ +

There are no known patent claims requiring royalties for the Ogg +Theora format. +MPEG-LA +and +Steve +Jobs in Apple claim to know about some patent claims (submarine +patents) against the Theora format, but no-one else seem to believe +them. Both Opera Software and the Mozilla Foundation have looked into +this and decided to implement Ogg Theora support in their browsers +without paying any royalties. For now the claims from MPEG-LA and +Steve Jobs seem more like FUD to scare people to use the H.264 codec +than any real problem with Ogg Theora. + +

No constraints on re-use?

+ +

I am not aware of any constraints on re-use.

+ +

Conclusion

+ +

3 of 5 requirements seem obviously fulfilled, and the remaining 2 +depend on the governing structure of the Xiph foundation. Given the +background report used by the Norwegian government, I believe it is +safe to assume the last two requirements are fulfilled too, but it +would be nice if the Xiph foundation web site made it easier to verify +this.

+ +

It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards.

+ +

Tags: english, standard, video.

+ +

+ Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard? +

+ 2010-12-25 20:25 +

+ +

The +Digistan definition of a free and open standard reads like this:

+ +

+ +
The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows:
+ +
+ +
A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.
+ +
The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.
+ +
The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.
+ +
The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.
+ +
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
+ +
+ +
The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard.
+

+ +

Free from vendor capture?

+ +

Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation?

+ +

Specification freely available?

+ +

The specification for the Ogg +container format and both the +Vorbis and +Theora codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +

+ +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +

+ +

The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +RFC 3533, and +this is the term:

+ +

+ +
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English.
+ +
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
+

+ +

Royalty-free?

+ +

No constraints on re-use?

+ +

I am not aware of any constraints on re-use.

+ +

Conclusion

+ +

It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards.

+ +

+ + + + Tags: english, standard, video. + +

Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard?

2010-12-25 20:25

The +Digistan definition of a free and open standard reads like this:

+ +

+ +
The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows:
+ +
+ +
A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.
+ +
The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.
+ +
The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.
+ +
The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.
+ +
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
+ +
+ +
The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard.
+

+ +

Free from vendor capture?

+ +

Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation?

+ +

Specification freely available?

+ +

The specification for the Ogg +container format and both the +Vorbis and +Theora codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +

+ +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +

+ +

The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +RFC 3533, and +this is the term:

+ +

+ +
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English.
+ +
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
+

+ +

Royalty-free?

+ +

No constraints on re-use?

+ +

I am not aware of any constraints on re-use.

+ +

Conclusion

+ +

It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards.

+ + + + Tags: english, standard, video. + +

@@ -741,7 +879,7 @@ vote this year.

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@@ -804,7 +942,7 @@ vote this year.

@@ -838,11 +976,11 @@ vote this year.

diff --git a/blog/index.rss b/blog/index.rss index 7d1e50832b..340ac99d2f 100644 --- a/blog/index.rss +++ b/blog/index.rss @@ -6,6 +6,168 @@ http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/ + + Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard? + http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Is_Ogg_Theora_a_free_and_open_standard_.html + http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Is_Ogg_Theora_a_free_and_open_standard_.html + Sat, 25 Dec 2010 20:25:00 +0100 + +<a href="http://www.digistan.org/open-standard:definition">The +Digistan definition</a> of a free and open standard reads like this: + +<blockquote> + +The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows: + +<ol> + +<li>A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.</li> + +<li>The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.</li> + +<li>The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.</li> + +<li>The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.</li> + +<li>There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.</li> + +</ol> + +The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard. +</blockquote> + +For a while now I have tried to figure out of Ogg Theora is a free +and open standard according to this definition. Here is a short +writeup of what I have been able to gather so far. I brought up the +topic on the Xiph advocacy mailing list +<a href="http://lists.xiph.org/pipermail/advocacy/2009-July/001632.html">in +July 2009</a>, for those that want to see some background information. +According to Ivo Emanuel GonÃ§alves and Monty Montgomery on that list +the Ogg Theora specification fulfils the Digistan definition. + +Free from vendor capture? + +As far as I can see, there is no single vendor that can control the +Ogg Theora specification. It can be argued that the +<a href="http://www.xiph.org/">Xiph foundation</A> is such vendor, but +given that it is a non-profit foundation with the expressed goal +making free and open protocols and standards available, it is not +obvious that this is a real risk. One issue with the Xiph +foundation is that its inner working (as in board member list, or who +control the foundation) are not easily available on the web. I've +been unable to find out who is in the foundation board, and have not +seen any accounting information documenting how money is handled nor +where is is spent in the foundation. It is thus not obvious for an +external observer who control The Xiph foundation, and for all I know +it is possible for a single vendor to take control over the +specification. But it seem unlikely. + +Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation? + +Assuming that the Xiph foundation is the organisation its web pages +claim it to be, this point is fulfilled. If Xiph foundation is +controlled by a single vendor, it isn't, but I have not found any +documentation indicating this. + +According to +<ahref="http://media.hiof.no/diverse/fad/rapport_4.pdf">a report</a> +prepared by Audun Vaaler og BÃ¸rre Ludvigsen for the Norwegian +government, the Xiph foundation is a non-commercial organisation and +the development process is open, transparent and non-Discrimatory. +Until proven otherwise, I believe it make most sense to believe the +report is correct. + +Specification freely available? + +The specification for the <a href="http://www.xiph.org/ogg/doc/">Ogg +container format</a> and both the +<a href="http://www.xiph.org/vorbis/doc/">Vorbis</a> and +<a href="http://theora.org/doc/">Theora</a> codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +<blockquote> + +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +</blockquote> + +The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +<a href="http://www.xiph.org/ogg/doc/rfc3533.txt">RFC 3533</a>, and +this is the term: + +<blockquote> + +This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English. + +The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns. +</blockquote> + +All these terms seem to allow unlimited distribution and use, an +this term seem to be fulfilled. There might be a problem with the +missing permission to distribute modified versions of the text, and +thus reuse it in other specifications. Not quite sure if that is a +requirement for the Digistan definition. + +Royalty-free? + +There are no known patent claims requiring royalties for the Ogg +Theora format. +<a href="http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=65782">MPEG-LA</a> +and +<a href="http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/04/30/237238/Steve-Jobs-Hints-At-Theora-Lawsuit">Steve +Jobs</a> in Apple claim to know about some patent claims (submarine +patents) against the Theora format, but no-one else seem to believe +them. Both Opera Software and the Mozilla Foundation have looked into +this and decided to implement Ogg Theora support in their browsers +without paying any royalties. For now the claims from MPEG-LA and +Steve Jobs seem more like FUD to scare people to use the H.264 codec +than any real problem with Ogg Theora. + +No constraints on re-use? + +I am not aware of any constraints on re-use. + +Conclusion + +3 of 5 requirements seem obviously fulfilled, and the remaining 2 +depend on the governing structure of the Xiph foundation. Given the +background report used by the Norwegian government, I believe it is +safe to assume the last two requirements are fulfilled too, but it +would be nice if the Xiph foundation web site made it easier to verify +this. + +It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards. + + + The reply from Edgar Villanueva to Microsoft in Peru http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/The_reply_from_Edgar_Villanueva_to_Microsoft_in_Peru.html @@ -608,29 +770,5 @@ very cool 3D scanner. - - Debian Edu development gathering and General Assembly for FRiSK - http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Debian_Edu_development_gathering_and_General_Assembly_for_FRiSK.html - http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Debian_Edu_development_gathering_and_General_Assembly_for_FRiSK.html - Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:40:00 +0100 - -On friday, the first Debian Edu / Skolelinux -<a href="http://www.friprogramvareiskolen.no/Gathering/2010-12-03-05-Oslo">development -gathering</a> in a long time take place here in Oslo, Norway. I -really look forward to seeing all the good people working on the -Squeeze release. The gathering is open for everyone interested in -learning more about Debian Edu / Skolelinux. - -On Saturday, the Norwegian member organization taking care of -organizing these development gatherings, Fri Programvare i Skolen, -will hold its -<a href="http://friprogramvareiskolen.no/Genfors/2010">General Assembly -for 2010</a>. Membership is open for all, and currently there are 388 -people registered as members. Last year 32 members cast their vote in -the memberdb based election system. I hope more people find time to -vote this year. - - - diff --git a/blog/jXplorer__a_very_nice_LDAP_GUI.html b/blog/jXplorer__a_very_nice_LDAP_GUI.html index 65bde28445..8044457eed 100644 --- a/blog/jXplorer__a_very_nice_LDAP_GUI.html +++ b/blog/jXplorer__a_very_nice_LDAP_GUI.html @@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ and remove the failing query. Nothing big, but very annoying.

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@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ and remove the failing query. Nothing big, but very annoying.

@@ -172,11 +172,11 @@ and remove the failing query. Nothing big, but very annoying.

diff --git a/blog/sitemap.xml b/blog/sitemap.xml index dfde76584d..9ecc183d68 100644 --- a/blog/sitemap.xml +++ b/blog/sitemap.xml @@ -385,6 +385,11 @@ 0.50 weekly + + http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Is_Ogg_Theora_a_free_and_open_standard_.html + 0.50 + weekly + http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/ISO_still_hope_to_fix_OOXML.html 0.50 diff --git a/blog/systemd__an_interesting_alternative_to_upstart.html b/blog/systemd__an_interesting_alternative_to_upstart.html index 8564ffe226..11ffbde156 100644 --- a/blog/systemd__an_interesting_alternative_to_upstart.html +++ b/blog/systemd__an_interesting_alternative_to_upstart.html @@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ with parallel booting enabled by default.

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@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ with parallel booting enabled by default.

@@ -190,11 +190,11 @@ with parallel booting enabled by default.

diff --git a/blog/tags/3d-printer/index.html b/blog/tags/3d-printer/index.html index 25bf0061c2..1bb10530df 100644 --- a/blog/tags/3d-printer/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/3d-printer/index.html @@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ very cool 3D scanner.

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@@ -720,7 +720,7 @@ very cool 3D scanner.

@@ -754,11 +754,11 @@ very cool 3D scanner.

diff --git a/blog/tags/amiga/index.html b/blog/tags/amiga/index.html index ddc02f5708..c7b49115db 100644 --- a/blog/tags/amiga/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/amiga/index.html @@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ pakke. Kanskje Aros kunne vÃ¦rt interessant for et NUUG-foredrag?

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@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ pakke. Kanskje Aros kunne vÃ¦rt interessant for et NUUG-foredrag?

@@ -184,11 +184,11 @@ pakke. Kanskje Aros kunne vÃ¦rt interessant for et NUUG-foredrag?

diff --git a/blog/tags/aros/index.html b/blog/tags/aros/index.html index 08fd076a33..af97dc8172 100644 --- a/blog/tags/aros/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/aros/index.html @@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ pakke. Kanskje Aros kunne vÃ¦rt interessant for et NUUG-foredrag?

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@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ pakke. Kanskje Aros kunne vÃ¦rt interessant for et NUUG-foredrag?

@@ -184,11 +184,11 @@ pakke. Kanskje Aros kunne vÃ¦rt interessant for et NUUG-foredrag?

diff --git a/blog/tags/bitcoin/index.html b/blog/tags/bitcoin/index.html index f0981235fa..579fd76977 100644 --- a/blog/tags/bitcoin/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/bitcoin/index.html @@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ equally valid for gold, which was used as a currency for many years.

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@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ equally valid for gold, which was used as a currency for many years.

@@ -315,11 +315,11 @@ equally valid for gold, which was used as a currency for many years.

diff --git a/blog/tags/bootsystem/index.html b/blog/tags/bootsystem/index.html index 3fc6177ad6..0b17d2dd24 100644 --- a/blog/tags/bootsystem/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/bootsystem/index.html @@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ packages.

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@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ packages.

@@ -767,11 +767,11 @@ packages.

diff --git a/blog/tags/debian edu/index.html b/blog/tags/debian edu/index.html index 1a37814dbd..04804bada2 100644 --- a/blog/tags/debian edu/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/debian edu/index.html @@ -4769,7 +4769,7 @@ RHEL6 with glxgears. No idea why.

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@@ -4832,7 +4832,7 @@ RHEL6 with glxgears. No idea why.

@@ -4866,11 +4866,11 @@ RHEL6 with glxgears. No idea why.

diff --git a/blog/tags/debian/index.html b/blog/tags/debian/index.html index 0109873740..cd03a3ffcf 100644 --- a/blog/tags/debian/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/debian/index.html @@ -3721,7 +3721,7 @@ RHEL6 with glxgears. No idea why.

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@@ -3784,7 +3784,7 @@ RHEL6 with glxgears. No idea why.

@@ -3818,11 +3818,11 @@ RHEL6 with glxgears. No idea why.

diff --git a/blog/tags/english/english.rss b/blog/tags/english/english.rss index ac254d3188..a91269b374 100644 --- a/blog/tags/english/english.rss +++ b/blog/tags/english/english.rss @@ -5356,5 +5356,167 @@ Congressman of the Republic of PerÃº. + + Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard? + http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Is_Ogg_Theora_a_free_and_open_standard_.html + http://people.skolelinux.org/pere/blog/Is_Ogg_Theora_a_free_and_open_standard_.html + Sat, 25 Dec 2010 20:25:00 +0100 + +<a href="http://www.digistan.org/open-standard:definition">The +Digistan definition</a> of a free and open standard reads like this: + +<blockquote> + +The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows: + +<ol> + +<li>A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.</li> + +<li>The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.</li> + +<li>The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.</li> + +<li>The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.</li> + +<li>There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.</li> + +</ol> + +The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard. +</blockquote> + +For a while now I have tried to figure out of Ogg Theora is a free +and open standard according to this definition. Here is a short +writeup of what I have been able to gather so far. I brought up the +topic on the Xiph advocacy mailing list +<a href="http://lists.xiph.org/pipermail/advocacy/2009-July/001632.html">in +July 2009</a>, for those that want to see some background information. +According to Ivo Emanuel GonÃ§alves and Monty Montgomery on that list +the Ogg Theora specification fulfils the Digistan definition. + +Free from vendor capture? + +As far as I can see, there is no single vendor that can control the +Ogg Theora specification. It can be argued that the +<a href="http://www.xiph.org/">Xiph foundation</A> is such vendor, but +given that it is a non-profit foundation with the expressed goal +making free and open protocols and standards available, it is not +obvious that this is a real risk. One issue with the Xiph +foundation is that its inner working (as in board member list, or who +control the foundation) are not easily available on the web. I've +been unable to find out who is in the foundation board, and have not +seen any accounting information documenting how money is handled nor +where is is spent in the foundation. It is thus not obvious for an +external observer who control The Xiph foundation, and for all I know +it is possible for a single vendor to take control over the +specification. But it seem unlikely. + +Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation? + +Assuming that the Xiph foundation is the organisation its web pages +claim it to be, this point is fulfilled. If Xiph foundation is +controlled by a single vendor, it isn't, but I have not found any +documentation indicating this. + +According to +<ahref="http://media.hiof.no/diverse/fad/rapport_4.pdf">a report</a> +prepared by Audun Vaaler og BÃ¸rre Ludvigsen for the Norwegian +government, the Xiph foundation is a non-commercial organisation and +the development process is open, transparent and non-Discrimatory. +Until proven otherwise, I believe it make most sense to believe the +report is correct. + +Specification freely available? + +The specification for the <a href="http://www.xiph.org/ogg/doc/">Ogg +container format</a> and both the +<a href="http://www.xiph.org/vorbis/doc/">Vorbis</a> and +<a href="http://theora.org/doc/">Theora</a> codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +<blockquote> + +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +</blockquote> + +The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +<a href="http://www.xiph.org/ogg/doc/rfc3533.txt">RFC 3533</a>, and +this is the term: + +<blockquote> + +This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English. + +The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns. +</blockquote> + +All these terms seem to allow unlimited distribution and use, an +this term seem to be fulfilled. There might be a problem with the +missing permission to distribute modified versions of the text, and +thus reuse it in other specifications. Not quite sure if that is a +requirement for the Digistan definition. + +Royalty-free? + +There are no known patent claims requiring royalties for the Ogg +Theora format. +<a href="http://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=65782">MPEG-LA</a> +and +<a href="http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/04/30/237238/Steve-Jobs-Hints-At-Theora-Lawsuit">Steve +Jobs</a> in Apple claim to know about some patent claims (submarine +patents) against the Theora format, but no-one else seem to believe +them. Both Opera Software and the Mozilla Foundation have looked into +this and decided to implement Ogg Theora support in their browsers +without paying any royalties. For now the claims from MPEG-LA and +Steve Jobs seem more like FUD to scare people to use the H.264 codec +than any real problem with Ogg Theora. + +No constraints on re-use? + +I am not aware of any constraints on re-use. + +Conclusion + +3 of 5 requirements seem obviously fulfilled, and the remaining 2 +depend on the governing structure of the Xiph foundation. Given the +background report used by the Norwegian government, I believe it is +safe to assume the last two requirements are fulfilled too, but it +would be nice if the Xiph foundation web site made it easier to verify +this. + +It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards. + + + diff --git a/blog/tags/english/index.html b/blog/tags/english/index.html index 3a60046074..b1589776a2 100644 --- a/blog/tags/english/index.html +++ b/blog/tags/english/index.html @@ -6396,6 +6396,181 @@ Congressman of the Republic of PerÃº.

+ Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard? +

+ 2010-12-25 20:25 +

+ +

The +Digistan definition of a free and open standard reads like this:

+ +

+ +
The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows:
+ +
+ +
A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.
+ +
The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.
+ +
The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.
+ +
The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.
+ +
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
+ +
+ +
The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard.
+

+ +

Free from vendor capture?

+ +

Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation?

+ +

Specification freely available?

+ +

The specification for the Ogg +container format and both the +Vorbis and +Theora codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +

+ +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +

+ +

The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +RFC 3533, and +this is the term:

+ +

+ +
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English.
+ +
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
+

+ +

Royalty-free?

+ +

No constraints on re-use?

+ +

I am not aware of any constraints on re-use.

+ +

Conclusion

+ +

It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards.

+ +

+ + + + Tags: english, standard, video. + +

+ Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard? +

+ 2010-12-25 20:25 +

+ +

The +Digistan definition of a free and open standard reads like this:

+ +

+ +
The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows:
+ +
+ +
A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.
+ +
The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.
+ +
The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.
+ +
The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.
+ +
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
+ +
+ +
The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard.
+

+ +

Free from vendor capture?

+ +

Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation?

+ +

Specification freely available?

+ +

The specification for the Ogg +container format and both the +Vorbis and +Theora codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +

+ +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +

+ +

The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +RFC 3533, and +this is the term:

+ +

+ +
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English.
+ +
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
+

+ +

Royalty-free?

+ +

No constraints on re-use?

+ +

I am not aware of any constraints on re-use.

+ +

Conclusion

+ +

It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards.

+ +

+ + + + Tags: english, standard, video. + +

+ Is Ogg Theora a free and open standard? +

+ 2010-12-25 20:25 +

+ +

The +Digistan definition of a free and open standard reads like this:

+ +

+ +
The Digital Standards Organization defines free and open standard +as follows:
+ +
+ +
A free and open standard is immune to vendor capture at all stages +in its life-cycle. Immunity from vendor capture makes it possible to +freely use, improve upon, trust, and extend a standard over time.
+ +
The standard is adopted and will be maintained by a not-for-profit +organisation, and its ongoing development occurs on the basis of an +open decision-making procedure available to all interested +parties.
+ +
The standard has been published and the standard specification +document is available freely. It must be permissible to all to copy, +distribute, and use it freely.
+ +
The patents possibly present on (parts of) the standard are made +irrevocably available on a royalty-free basis.
+ +
There are no constraints on the re-use of the standard.
+ +
+ +
The economic outcome of a free and open standard, which can be +measured, is that it enables perfect competition between suppliers of +products based on the standard.
+

+ +

Free from vendor capture?

+ +

Maintained by open not-for-profit organisation?

+ +

Specification freely available?

+ +

The specification for the Ogg +container format and both the +Vorbis and +Theora codeces are available on +the web. This are the terms in the Vorbis and Theora specification: + +

+ +Anyone may freely use and distribute the Ogg and [Vorbis/Theora] +specifications, whether in private, public, or corporate +capacity. However, the Xiph.Org Foundation and the Ogg project reserve +the right to set the Ogg [Vorbis/Theora] specification and certify +specification compliance. + +

+ +

The Ogg container format is specified in IETF +RFC 3533, and +this is the term:

+ +

+ +
This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to +others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it +or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and +distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, +provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are +included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this +document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing +the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other +Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing +Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined +in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to +translate it into languages other than English.
+ +
The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be +revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.
+

+ +

Royalty-free?

+ +

No constraints on re-use?

+ +

I am not aware of any constraints on re-use.

+ +

Conclusion

+ +

It would be nice to see other analysis of other specifications to +see if they are free and open standards.

+ +

+ + + + Tags: english, standard, video. + +

+ Petter Reinholdtsen + +

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