Re:Kvazaar HEVC/H.265 encoder released under GPLv2
by dllthomas on Wednesday January 29, 2014 @01:02PM
(#7145564)
You can study patents for free; that is part of the purported purpose of the system. So if you copy the code purely to learn about it, that is arguably not an infringement. Using the code is in violation without a license. This applies whether source, interpreted, compiled, bytecode, or decompiled. It will be harder to convince a judge that you were just studying it if you have only a form that is conducive to running and not conducive to study, though, if you are found out and sued.
Of course, you'd better not plan on using anything you learned from it until you negotiate licenses for your users (or the patent expires).
Of course, you'd better not plan on using anything you learned from it until you negotiate licenses for your users (or the patent expires).