MP3 patent issues?

[Steve Dibb]

Kenneth Burgener wrote:
> I have heard that the MP3 encoding is patented.  Is this correct?
> 
> What does a patent protect?  If I were to encode a WAV to MP3 and NOT 
> sale the MP3 does this violate a patent?
> 
> How about if I take a WAV file, encode it with LameMP3 and send it to a 
> client?  Would this violate the MP3 patent?
> 
> Does anyone know where to find some good information on this?

Okay I found my old blog entry on this, and posted it back on my website 
if interested:

http://wonkabar.org/mp3.php

Steve

p.s. and yes, Batman the animated series is on DVD and it rocks :)