MP3 is at or near it's patentable lifetime. Fraunhoffer Institute created MP3Pro to replace it but it hasn't taken off; now there are more viable alternatives.

MP3 is at or near it's patentable lifetime. Fraunhoffer Institute created MP3Pro to replace it but it hasn't taken off; now there are more viable alternatives. The MP3 format was used because the patent wasn't enforced. As soon as it was and people found out the terms of license (per file, per encoder, and per decoder) the AAC license became a better alternative (only per encoder, per decoder, and high thresholds to payments). In one regard h.264 is almost a repeat of the MP3 fiasco. Terms are good enough to make it widespread, then severely jacked up once it has market domination. From an enduser point of view. This isn't a problem, the CE company you buy gadgets from is required to pay this. Depending on the company this could be a problem. If you are a US-based company (where software patents are valid) competing against foreign companies it can be the difference of your product not selling because of a cheaper alternative.