Is any generalized compression method free from patent constraints? ...
Second, because a compression scheme is subject to patent constraints
does not mean it cannot be used for standards track protocols...
... Note that a freely available algorithm is far superior
to a restricted one from the IETF standpoint.
The crucial word is not "patent" but "constraints". Much depends on
how reasonable a patent owner is prepared to be. The legal swamp around
compression and encryption algorithms is an unpleasant example, but there
are brighter ones. I expect that many people don't realize that Ethernet
is patented technology. I'm sure most people aren't aware that both
audio cassettes and CDs (including CDROMs) are patented. The common
element here is enlightened patent owners who were willing to allow
widespread use on payment of small royalties.
Whether we can expect such enlightenment for compression algorithms
is another issue. I particularly doubt that we can expect a patent
owner to waive royalties and bookkeeping for software distributed
without charge, which would be highly desirable.
Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology
henry(_at_)zoo(_dot_)toronto(_dot_)edu utzoo!henry