Midwest-Linux
May 1st, 2008, 05:59 AM
Adobe Drops Licensing Fees, Gives Away Flash For Devices
By Michael Calore EmailApril 30, 2008 | 11:01:00 PMCategories: Mobile
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2008/04/adobe-drops-lic.html
Flash Software maker Adobe announced Thursday that it would drop many of the licensing requirements attached to its Flash technology, which is used to display video and audio content on the web. The new initiative, named the Open Screen Project, has five key components:
1. Adobe will remove license restrictions on SWF and FLV file formats. Outsiders can now build their own Flash player clones.
2. Adobe will also remove the licensing fees on its Flash player. Developers can now integrate Adobe's player into any device or application without paying a fee.
3. Porting layer APIs will be opened up. They've always been device-specific, so manufacturers have had to sign agreements with Adobe in order to include the Flash player on a particular device. By eliminating that requirement, Adobe is allowing anyone to put the Flash player on their device without even opening a dialog with the company.
4. Adobe will publish the protocols for Flash, so companies can build the content delivery systems for themselves. They no longer need to use Adobe's Flash server software.
5. Adobe will allow over-the-air updates of the Flash player. Providers and carriers can push out new player versions to their users.
Another potential beneficiary of the Open Screen Project is Linux. A great number of mobile devices are running Linux, and developers working on mobile video applications for the free operating system can now build for whatever device they'd like without the need to pursue licensing agreements or worry about device-specific players.
By Michael Calore EmailApril 30, 2008 | 11:01:00 PMCategories: Mobile
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2008/04/adobe-drops-lic.html
Flash Software maker Adobe announced Thursday that it would drop many of the licensing requirements attached to its Flash technology, which is used to display video and audio content on the web. The new initiative, named the Open Screen Project, has five key components:
1. Adobe will remove license restrictions on SWF and FLV file formats. Outsiders can now build their own Flash player clones.
2. Adobe will also remove the licensing fees on its Flash player. Developers can now integrate Adobe's player into any device or application without paying a fee.
3. Porting layer APIs will be opened up. They've always been device-specific, so manufacturers have had to sign agreements with Adobe in order to include the Flash player on a particular device. By eliminating that requirement, Adobe is allowing anyone to put the Flash player on their device without even opening a dialog with the company.
4. Adobe will publish the protocols for Flash, so companies can build the content delivery systems for themselves. They no longer need to use Adobe's Flash server software.
5. Adobe will allow over-the-air updates of the Flash player. Providers and carriers can push out new player versions to their users.
Another potential beneficiary of the Open Screen Project is Linux. A great number of mobile devices are running Linux, and developers working on mobile video applications for the free operating system can now build for whatever device they'd like without the need to pursue licensing agreements or worry about device-specific players.