Now, Google purchases the codec, gives a free patent grant, and then makes sure H.264 is what it is -- a patent-encumbered standard -- by requesting the alleged

Now, Google purchases the codec, gives a free patent grant, and then makes sure H.264 is what it is -- a patent-encumbered standard -- by requesting the allegedly unreasonable license terms, to push a patent-free codec. I think you are confusing the WebM patents, which are patent free, with the Motorola patents, which are certainly not. Also, no one says that h264 wasn't patent encumbered. That's what the MPEG-LA was for, they handle the licensing which cost all of 20 cents. If I'm reading this correct, Motorola had licensed their patents under FRAND terms as part of MPEG-LA. Now they are trying to extract more money from the terms which probably violates all sorts of FRAND agreements. 2012 will be an expensive year. Good for the lawyers though.