@Antony, imo. :-) Propreitary implementations fall under creation of software algorithms that completely enchance the original codec in terms of e.g. the number of passes the encoder will do in rendering. Manufacturers or propreitary systems pay licensing royalties for patented technology algorithms purely because the end result is very different from the normal standards. Take the example of H264, using the same base standard will produce some results but the software engineers who work with proprietary systems will do something else all together with them and produce really excellent results. The standards are established but the complex implementation of a particular codec is just another story all together. This link will provide an idea http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.264/MPEG-4_AVC#Patent_licensing I think the same analogy can be applied generally in most ICT sectors. E.g. CAT6 cable is just UTP cable based on EIA/TIA standards. The manufacturers of these cables apply various enhancements to deliver quality standards. To put this to the test, compare the cheaper and more expensive cables in the market and install them, see whether you will get the results needed over length,strength, crimping, losses and interference issues. There is a big difference but the category standards are the same. And there is also a unique market for codec software engineers out there. My thots. Rgds.