# libwebm

> parser library for the WebM format

**Wikidata**: [Q109318497](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109318497)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/libwebm

## Summary
libwebm is a software library designed to serve as a parser for the WebM format. Developed by Google, it is distributed as free software under the 3-clause BSD License, allowing users to run, study, and modify the code.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Google (a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.).
- **Primary Function:** Parser library for the WebM media format.
- **License:** 3-clause BSD License.
- **Classification:** Categorized as both free software and a software library.
- **Source Code Repository:** Hosted at https://chromium.googlesource.com/webm/libwebm/.
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted.
- **Package Identifiers:** Known as "libwebm" in the Arch User Repository (AUR) and Repology.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the main purpose of libwebm?
A: libwebm is a dedicated parser library for the WebM format. It provides the necessary tools for software to read and interpret WebM data structures.

### Q: Who maintains libwebm?
A: The library is developed and maintained by Google, the American multinational technology company based in Mountain View, California.

### Q: Under what terms can I use libwebm?
A: libwebm is released as free software under the 3-clause BSD License. This allows users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the software or modified versions of it.

## Why It Matters
libwebm is a foundational tool for the WebM ecosystem, providing a standardized parser for the format. Because it is developed by Google, it serves as a primary reference implementation for handling WebM files. Its significance lies in its role as free software; by providing the source code under a permissive 3-clause BSD License, Google enables developers to integrate WebM support into various applications without restrictive licensing hurdles. This promotes the study and modification of the library, ensuring that the WebM format remains accessible and interoperable across different software platforms.

## Notable For
- **Google Development:** Created and maintained by Google as part of its internet and software industry contributions.
- **Permissive Licensing:** Utilizes the 3-clause BSD License, which is highly flexible for both open and closed-source redistribution.
- **Format Specialization:** Specifically engineered to handle the parsing requirements of the WebM format.
- **Free Software Compliance:** Adheres to free software principles, granting users the right to study and change the underlying code.

## Body

### Development and Ownership
libwebm is a project of Google, an American multinational technology company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google, which was founded on September 4, 1998, operates out of its headquarters in Mountain View, California (the Googleplex). The development of libwebm falls under Google's activities in the software and internet marketing industries.

### Technical Classification
The entity is defined as a software library and an instance of free software. As a parser library, its specific technical role is to process the WebM format. The project is tracked in various developer ecosystems under the identifier "libwebm," including the Arch User Repository (AUR), Open Hub, and Repology.

### Licensing and Distribution
The source code for libwebm is hosted in a repository at https://chromium.googlesource.com/webm/libwebm/. While the software is copyrighted, it is distributed under the 3-clause BSD License. This legal framework ensures that the software is free for users to run, study, and distribute. The library's development is associated with the programming language identified by the code Q2407.

## References

1. [Source](https://chromium.googlesource.com/webm/libwebm/+/ba0e4366dc05cfb8565d78f8f30afa9bb1206862/LICENSE.TXT)