Nikon Rumors has reported that AVC codec used by the newly released Nikon D7000 camera is only available for personal and non-commercial use. This is as stated in the D7000’s user manual (page xvii) and is currently being debated on the forums.

There is an interesting article about “Know Your Rights: H.264, patent licensing, and you” on engadget.

The actual wording in the Nikon D7000 user manual is as follows:

“AVC Patent Portfolio License.

THIS PRODUCT IS LICENSED UNDER THE AVC PATENT PORTFOLIO LICENSE FOR THE PERSONAL AND NON- COMMERCIAL USE OF A CONSUMER TO (i) ENCODE VIDEO IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AVC STANDARD (“AVC VIDEO”) AND/OR (ii) DECODE AVC VIDEO THAT WAS ENCODED BY A CONSUMER ENGAGED IN A PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AND/OR WAS OBTAINED FROM A VIDEO PROVIDER LICENSED TO PROVIDE AVC VIDEO. NO LICENSE IS GRANTED OR SHALL BE IMPLIED FOR ANY OTHER USE. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MPEG LA, L.L.C.”