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The OpenCV license allows its use in commercial applications. However, the SIFT and SURF algorithms are patented. If you use one in a commercial application, you may be open to a patent suit. Here's a pertinent thread from the opencv-users list. If you need to use SIFT or SURF you should protect yourself by contacting the patent owner to find out if you need to pay royalties.
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The OpenCV license allows its use in commercial applications. However, the SIFT and SURF algorithms are patented. If you use one in a commercial application, you may be open to a patent suit. Here's a pertinent thread from the opencv-users list. If you need to use SIFT or SURF you should protect yourself by contacting the patent owner to find out if you need to pay royalties.
EDIT:
I am not a lawyer, so I'm not going to claim to be 100% correct, but I do know that the purpose of a patent is to ensure that the creator of the work receives proper recognition and compensation for his/her work. My interpretation is such that if you make money using a patented algorithm, you are responsible for compensating the patent holder approrpriately. The patent holder has the right to decide what counts as "fair" compensation. Some patent holders just want to receive credit in the form of a "thank you", but some want money. Only the patent holder can make that decision, since the work belongs to him/her.
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