Feurio Questions & Answers - Feurio! CD-Manager problem-solving:
Why doesn't Feurio!® have any routines of its own to create mp3 files?

Question: Why can't routines to create mp3 files be included in Feurio!®? Surely that would be much easier that the external Codecs?

Answer:
There is nothing I would rather do, but unfortunately this is not possible.
First of all, the effort involved should not be underestimated. But the main reason: the mp3 format is subject to various patents. Even if you program your OWN routine to create mp3, you have to pay hefty license fees for the privilege. For a program which can create mp3 files, these are fees of ca. 25 DOLLARS per piece (depending on the quantity), as well as such "Niceties" like a minimum fee of 10,000 $ per year!
Feurio! already contains an integrated mp3-Decoder - this decoder already costs us a lot. the license fees for an integrated encoder are just not acceptable!
According to my knowledge of the law, in Germany algorithms can not be protected. I informed the Fraunhofer Institute of this and they said that it is protected by European patent law. In case of doubt, this would probably mean a long and very expensive court case - I really just can not afford that.
As long as this status remains, unfortunately there is nothing I can do about the system with external Codecs.
And for those of you who come up with the objection that there are some "free" programs which create mp3 files:
There are several reasons for this: First of all the Fraunhofer Institute currently "tolerates" free programs (but this is no guarantee, according to the small print this toleration can be withdrawn at any time). Secondly the authors of such programs are often unknown and can thus not be prosecuted, some of these programs have also been created in countries with a different legal situation.
I myself can not and do not want to risk the possibility of an extremely expensive court case!

See also:
Questions and Answers - Feurio! CD-Manager: problem-solving
Questions and Answers - Feurio! CD-Manager: general questions
Questions and Answers - Main Page

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