Google’s WebM video technology has been the cause of worry among developers due to potential patent concerns. Google today announced the WebM Community Cross License initiative, which has a goal of dispelling patent-related threats to web video technology.
Members who join the WebM Community Cross License initiative have to agree to license any WebM-related patents to other members. This will provide mutual reassurance that these video technologies remain royalty-free.
Mike Jazayeri, Google’s director of product management for WebM, reported that “Each grants to the other members a patent license for any patents that may be essential to WebM.” As of today, 16 organizations, along with Google itself, have joined, including Mozilla, Opera Software, Samsung and LG Electronics.
