Pro Audio Support

Q:
Why is MP3 Export Option for Pro Tools an additional purchase rather than a standard part of the application?
 
A:
MP3 compression utilizes a patented encoding algorithm and any software developer that employs it is obligated to pay certain fees to the patent holders. If it had been included as part of the standard Pro Tools installation, Digidesign would have been obligated to increase the price of Pro Tools to compensate for the additional cost per unit. Making it available as a separate, downloadable feature makes more economic sense for Digidesign, and for our customers.