While the format is proprietary, the actual decoding and encoding processes can be open source. Like how a box can be locked, but everyone has the keys to open it and see what’s inside.
Proprietary is independent of patents. Different systems. There already exists open licensed, but patent encumbered formats or their inverse. WAV is proprietary, but again, is fully documented and there exists open licensed encoders and decoders.
I have no idea why it still remains proprietary, but its an old format, and IBM/MS probably just don’t really care about it since it’s last update was over a decade ago.
While the format is proprietary, the actual decoding and encoding processes can be open source. Like how a box can be locked, but everyone has the keys to open it and see what’s inside.
What’s proprietary about a format older than 25 years, meaning all possible patents have elapsed?
Proprietary is independent of patents. Different systems. There already exists open licensed, but patent encumbered formats or their inverse. WAV is proprietary, but again, is fully documented and there exists open licensed encoders and decoders.
I have no idea why it still remains proprietary, but its an old format, and IBM/MS probably just don’t really care about it since it’s last update was over a decade ago.
What makes it proprietary if it is documented and free to use?
WAV is also braindead simple, effectively just a stream of raw PCM data. It would be really hard to hide any sort of payload in it.