Legal use of VLC

[JFalkenberg]

I cant quite seem to find the aswer im looking for so here goes.

I work for a company i Denmark with approximately 3000 users. Furtheremore we have offices all over the world (i.e. Norway, Germany, Canada, China and Tyrkey with a total of 20.000 users) Am I allowed to installed VLC on all of the machines? Or is it different from country to country?

[thannoy]

For what I know, the fact that VLC media player is able to decode/encode some formats can enforce you to pay some rights in some countries.
You can compile a lighten VLC desactivating, for example, mp3 support.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

From the copyright perspective, you can install it on any computers anywhere. Of course, you still need to follow the local legislation.

[JFalkenberg]

Is there any to find out if I need to pay "royalty" for using a specific codec?

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Codecs are mathematical algorithms, and those are clearly out of the scope of patentability within current EU legislation.

[qudos]

Hello!

This question is very intressting for me too. I work in a company in Sweden that needs DVD-playback (and other formats).

PDF about patent in EU:
http://documents.epo.org/projects/babyl ... dition.pdf

Page 80, right side under (2), (C)

(2) The following in particular shall not be regarded
as inventions within the meaning of paragraph 1:

(c) schemes, rules and methods for performing
mental acts, playing games or doing business, and
programs for computers;

But, how about all other softwares being produced in the EU?

Even if u arent ablet to patent your work, shouldnt you still be able to clain licensmoney?

I really want to be able to use VLC but I need to be certain about the legal parts and Bits.

Best Regards
Tobias, Sweden

[The DJ]

Then consult with a lawyer....