This is fun. Forgent Networks, Inc., is attempting to ambush the digital imaging industry by claiming that it owns the software patent on JPEG compression technology. Forgent says it is “in contact” with computer, software, camera, and other digital imaging product manufacturers regarding licensing terms. Can you imagine a company seriously asserting that it has a right to collect royalties every time someone creates a .jpg picture on a computer? It’s the kind of public relations disaster that’s interesting to watch – kind of like watching a train wreck. (Based on its sliding stock price, Forgent appears to be a dying company trying to come up with a last gasp theory to stay alive. This isn’t it.)
