Flash opens up, including removing restrictions on the use of SWF and FLV files

[asf8]

I saw this news today and thought it was quite interesting
(no doubt everyone saw it, but was curious on some thoughts from others)

http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn&ncl=1155286696&topic=t

Sounds pretty interesting...

[xwielder]

Adobe will remove license restriction on the .swf file format. "It is published already, but in order to view it you have to say you will not create a competing player," said Wadhwani. "We're lifting that restriction. People have been worried about vendor lock-in. This will remove that obstacle, and concern."

Adobe will also remove licensing fees for embedding Flash Player on devices. The software has always been a free download for PC users. But Adobe has charged for embedding on devices. Those charges will disappear with the next release of the software.

Good move, Adobe.

[jsebrech]

It's a nice step, but I don't think it really matters much. Swf has been open for content producers for a while now. And those who avoid flash because they consider it too closed won't be swayed, because adobe still decides on the direction of flash and they could 'take it back' with successive versions.

It will be interesting to see the battle between flash and silverlight for the mobile video market however.

[asf8]

http://www.adobe.com/openscreenproject/

Still no Apple/iPhone mention but maybe this will help the matter ;-)

[hangalot]

this is a massive move, i read about it a few days ago and if you delve deeper into it you will notice that companies like apple can now bundle and develop their own player without any licensing cost. in the past licensing for a mobile was $5 add to this the fact that content will be delivarable to devices like televisions and that this will enable other device makers (like stoves, fridges etc) to use the swf player fopr its ui's and you start grasping how big this can be.