Final MPEG‑4 Visual Patent Expires, Closing Decades‑Long Licensing Era

The final patent covering MPEG‑4 visual technology has now expired. The expiration removes the last remaining royalty obligation for the codec. MPEG‑4 has been used for video compression in many consumer and professional applications. With the patent lapse, developers can implement the standard without licensing fees. Open‑source projects may incorporate the full MPEG‑4 visual suite more freely. Companies that previously paid royalties will see cost savings on future deployments. The change could encourage broader adoption of MPEG‑4 in emerging platforms. Industry observers will watch how the market responds to the newly unrestricted technology.