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When you make programs that export to .doc or stream rma's (just as an example), is that considered patent infringement?
I have a feeling it is, but it seems so common in the software industry that I wasn't sure if there is an exception for encoding or not.
Depends on the File Format. If it's a format someone owns (Like for MP3 you have to have a license to create MP3 files), you probably have to pay a licensing fee. Just do a google search for licensing on the different formats.
.Doc is probably fine, especially since OOo uses it but then again, I'm not 100% sure.
I remember reading somewhere that OO.org (or was it StarOffice back then?) had to hack apart the DOC format themselves, MS would give nothing away. However the fact that they have not incurred the wrath of the big M in the process suggests to me that that particular format at least is not patented or under any other kind of legal protection.
So like kasracer said it is different with each individual format and depends what licence the format is developed under, whether it is an open standard or proprietary, etc.