[throwaway32]

if ffmpeg worried about patents and licensing, they would have stopped development a long time ago.

[dexen]

Your snarky remark can be read both ways:

  - if ffmpeg [developers] were overly scared about even remote risks of being sued, they'd stop.
  - if ffmpeg [developers] wanted to abide by the law, they'd have to stop.

and the second interpretation is quite unfair IMHO.

[throwaway32]

I meant it both ways, however the second interpretation is really only true under US law. A lot of parties would want a lot of money to license things, how would they pay?