# End User License Agreement — b3LAB BatchForge+ - Version: v1.1.0 - Effective Date: 2026-05-15 - Product: b3LAB BatchForge+ (native macOS batch transcoder — Batch Transcode, Audio-Only, Segment Join, Image Export, Burn-In, Watch Folder, Loudness Mastering — ships its own LGPL-2.1 FFmpeg + ffprobe bundled inside the app) - Licensor: Benjamin Mauz · b3LAB · Ruländerstr. 3 · 73733 Esslingen am Neckar · Deutschland · USt-ID DE277951151 - Contact: contact@b3lab.io - Supersedes: EULA v0.1 (2026-04-26) This End User License Agreement ("Agreement") is a legal contract between you ("Licensee") and Benjamin Mauz, trading as b3LAB ("Licensor"), for the use of the software product **b3LAB BatchForge+** ("Software"). By installing, copying, or otherwise using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. > **What changed compared to v0.1:** Starting with BatchForge+ v1.1.0, the Software ships its own LGPL-2.1 FFmpeg build inside the application bundle. Section 2 of this Agreement now reflects that change. v0.1 of this EULA covered the historical model where FFmpeg was a system-installed external dependency; that model no longer applies to BatchForge+ v1.1.0 and later. ## 1. Grant of License Subject to your payment of the applicable license fee, the Licensor grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to: - (a) install and use the Software on macOS systems that you own or that are assigned to you for exclusive use; - (b) use the Software's batch transcoding, audio-only, segment-join, image-export, watch-folder, burn-in, and loudness-mastering features for personal, educational, research, and commercial workflows; - (c) make backup copies for archival purposes. The license is **per person, not per machine** — a single license key activates the Software on all the Macs you personally use. License keys are bound to the purchaser; sharing or distributing your license key to third parties is prohibited (see Section 3). The license tier purchased (if multiple tiers are offered at point of sale) determines feature scope. ## 2. Bundled FFmpeg and Third-Party Components **FFmpeg is bundled with the Software.** Starting with v1.1.0, BatchForge+ ships its own LGPL-2.1 build of FFmpeg + ffprobe inside the application bundle at `BatchForge+.app/Contents/Resources/bin/`, accompanied by 23 dynamic libraries in `BatchForge+.app/Contents/Resources/lib/`. The Software does not require Homebrew, the macOS command line, or any user-side FFmpeg installation. The bundled FFmpeg build is **LGPL-2.1 only**: it is configured with `--disable-gpl --disable-nonfree` and explicitly excludes libx264, libx265, libxvid, libfdk-aac, libvidstab, frei0r, librubberband, postproc, libxavs/libxavs2/libdavs2/libuavs3d, libtesseract, libopencv, and libsmbclient. The build script (`Scripts/build_ffmpeg_lgpl.sh`) and the verified-binary configuration record are mirrored at . The Software invokes the bundled FFmpeg as an **external child process** (`Foundation.Process`). The Software does not statically or dynamically link to libavcodec, libavformat, libavutil, or any other FFmpeg library. This usage is covered by the "separate program" / "mere aggregation" interpretation of LGPL Section 6, and additionally the Licensor satisfies LGPL Section 6(b) source-code availability through the mirror page above. **LGPL-2.1 source-code availability and library substitution:** The license text, component credits, build-configuration record, and source-code mirror URL are included in the DMG installer in the `LICENSES/` folder and the file `b3LAB - BatchForge+__LEGAL.md`. Licensees who wish to substitute the bundled FFmpeg with their own build (for example, a Homebrew `ffmpeg-full` build that includes libx264 for software H.264 encoding) may do so by placing the alternative binary at `~/Library/Application Support/BatchForge+/bin/`. The Software's `FFmpegLocator` prefers this path over the bundled binary. This mechanism satisfies LGPL Section 6's library-substitution requirement. The 23 bundled runtime libraries are individually distributed under LGPL-2.1+, BSD, MIT, ISC, Zlib, FTL, or Public Domain licenses; the complete list including upstream URLs is provided in `LICENSES/FFmpeg-CREDITS.txt`. **Codec patents:** Hardware-accelerated H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and AAC encoding rely on Apple's VideoToolbox and AudioToolbox frameworks. Apple is the patent licensee for these codecs on macOS; no separate patent license is required by the Licensor or by the Licensee for the use of the Software with the bundled encoders. AV1, VP8/VP9, Opus, Vorbis, FLAC, and WebP are royalty-free by design. MP3 patents expired in 2017. ## 3. Restrictions You may not: - (a) resell, sublicense, lease, lend, or transfer the Software or license key to a third party; - (b) reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the proprietary parts of the Software (the BatchForge+ Swift application code and the `B3LABLicensing` package), except to the extent permitted by mandatory applicable law (e.g. § 69e UrhG for interoperability). **This restriction does not apply** to the bundled FFmpeg, ffprobe, and the 23 dynamic libraries in `BatchForge+.app/Contents/Resources/lib/`, which are LGPL/BSD/MIT/ISC/Zlib/FTL/Public-Domain-licensed and may be inspected, modified, and substituted per their respective licenses; - (c) remove, obscure, or modify any copyright, trademark, license-text, or attribution notices, including the contents of the `LICENSES/` folder; - (d) bypass, disable, or interfere with the licensing system, anti-tamper checks, watermarking, or any technical protection measures within the Software; - (e) misrepresent the Software as official software of, endorsed by, or affiliated with the FFmpeg project, Apple Inc., Vidvox LLC, or any other third party; - (f) use the Software to violate any applicable law or third-party rights. ## 4. Ownership The Software is licensed, not sold. The Licensor retains all rights, title, and interest in the proprietary parts of the Software (the BatchForge+ Swift application code, the `B3LABLicensing` package, the UI design, the BatchForge+ name and logo). The bundled FFmpeg and its runtime libraries remain the property of their respective copyright holders and are distributed under their respective licenses, as documented in `LICENSES/`. ## 5. Updates and Support - Updates within the same major version (1.x → 1.y) are included for licensed users. - Major-version upgrades (1.x → 2.x) may require a paid upgrade. - Minor updates include bug fixes, security updates to bundled components, FFmpeg-version refreshes, additional presets, and feature improvements. - Standard email support: installation, license activation, preset configuration, codec selection, basic troubleshooting. Support does not extend to custom FFmpeg builds placed in the user-override path described in Section 2. ## 6. Trial Mode Until a valid license key is activated, the Software runs in Trial Mode with output restrictions (time-cap per output OR watermark, plus batch-size and resolution caps as documented in the User Manual). Trial output is fully playable. A purchased license key removes the trial restrictions. ## 7. Third-Party Components Bundled with the Software The Software bundles and redistributes the following third-party components, each under its own license. The full per-component license list, upstream URLs, and exclusions list are documented in `LICENSES/FFmpeg-CREDITS.txt`: - **FFmpeg 7.1.2** (`ffmpeg`, `ffprobe`) — LGPL-2.1 (see `LICENSES/FFmpeg-LGPL-2.1.txt`). - **Bundled runtime libraries** (23 dylibs in `Contents/Resources/lib/`): freetype (FTL), harfbuzz (MIT), fontconfig (MIT/HPND), libass (ISC), fribidi (LGPL-2.1+), libunibreak (Zlib), glib (LGPL-2.1+), libintl (LGPL-2.1+), libgraphite2 (LGPL-2.1+ / MPL-1.1), libpng (libpng / zlib-style), liblzma (Public Domain), libpcre2 (BSD-3+exception), libsharpyuv / libwebp / libwebpmux (BSD-3), libmp3lame (LGPL-2.0+), libogg / libopus / libvorbis / libvorbisenc (BSD-3), libvpx (BSD-3), libdav1d (BSD-2), libsnappy (BSD-3). - **Apple system frameworks**: VideoToolbox, AudioToolbox, AVFoundation, CoreMedia, CoreVideo, Foundation, Metal — used under the standard macOS developer license. Hardware-accelerated H.264 / HEVC / ProRes / AAC encoders are part of macOS and licensed by Apple to application developers. A complete legal analysis of the licensing stack — including the LGPL "separate process" interpretation, the codec-patent landscape, industry precedent (Permute, Compresto, Downie, ScreenFlow, etc. that bundle LGPL FFmpeg under the same model), and the per-release compliance checklist — is provided in `b3LAB - BatchForge+__LEGAL.md` inside the DMG installer. ## 8. Trademark Acknowledgements b3LAB and BatchForge+ are trademarks of Benjamin Mauz / b3LAB. BatchForge+ is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the FFmpeg project, Apple Inc., Vidvox LLC (HAP codec, libsnappy), Google LLC (VP9, libsnappy), VideoLAN (dav1d), the Xiph.Org Foundation (Opus, Vorbis, FLAC), the AOMedia consortium (AV1), or the H.264/HEVC patent pool licensors (Access Advance, Via LA, MPEG LA). All other trademarks are property of their respective owners and used solely for descriptive interoperability purposes ("nominative fair use"). ## 9. Loudness Presets Loudness presets (EBU R128, ATSC A/85, Streaming, Apple Podcasts, Cinema/DCP) target their respective standards' typical reference values (e.g. EBU R128 −23 LUFS integrated). Final delivery for broadcast, streaming, or theatrical distribution should always be measured and verified by the receiving studio or QC house. The Licensor is not responsible for delivery rejections caused by metering tolerances, true-peak overshoots, or mastering chain differences. ## 10. Data and Privacy The Software does not collect telemetry, analytics, usage statistics, or any personal data beyond what is strictly necessary for license activation. Outbound network traffic is limited to: - License-server contacts (`https://license.b3lab.io`) during activation and periodic re-verification. Transmitted data: license key, hardware-ID hash (SHA-256 of macOS system identifiers), app version, locale. - The bundled FFmpeg is configured with `--disable-network` — the encoding subprocess has no network access. License-key storage uses the macOS Keychain (service `io.b3lab.batchforge`, `kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlockThisDeviceOnly`) plus an HMAC-signed local cache for 30-day offline grace. A full privacy-posture statement is in `b3LAB - BatchForge+__LEGAL.md` Section 13. ## 11. Disclaimer of Warranty THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. THE LICENSOR DOES NOT WARRANT UNINTERRUPTED OPERATION, ENCODING QUALITY MATCHING ANY THIRD-PARTY REFERENCE, OR COMPATIBILITY WITH UNSUPPORTED MACOS VERSIONS OR HARDWARE CONFIGURATIONS. ## 12. Limitation of Liability TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE LICENSOR'S TOTAL LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID FOR THE LICENSE. NO LIABILITY FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING DELIVERY REJECTIONS, LOST RENDER TIME, OR BROKEN AUTOMATION PIPELINES. MANDATORY STATUTORY LIABILITY (e.g. for intent, gross negligence, or under the German Produkthaftungsgesetz) REMAINS UNAFFECTED. ## 13. EU Statutory Withdrawal For digital products with immediate download access, the right of withdrawal expires upon download initiation in accordance with Art. 16 m of the EU Consumer Rights Directive (§ 356 V BGB). By initiating the download, you explicitly waive the 14-day withdrawal period. ## 14. Refunds Refunds may be considered for non-delivery, license activation failure, non-functional behavior in a supported environment (macOS 15.6 Sequoia or later, Apple Silicon or Intel), or accidental duplicate purchase. Refunds are not granted for change of mind after successful activation, for unsupported macOS versions, for incompatibilities introduced by custom FFmpeg builds placed in the user-override path, or for unimplemented features. Mandatory consumer rights apply where required by law. ## 15. Termination This Agreement is effective until terminated. Termination is automatic upon breach of any of Sections 1–3. The Licensor may also terminate licenses obtained through fraud, chargeback abuse, or systematic key-sharing. On termination, you must cease use of the Software and remove all copies from your devices. Termination does not entitle you to a refund beyond the original point-of-sale refund window. ## 16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction Governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, excluding its conflict-of-laws provisions and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods. Exclusive jurisdiction: courts competent for Esslingen am Neckar, Germany, to the extent permitted by mandatory law. For EU consumers, mandatory consumer protection rights of your country of residence are unaffected. EU customers may also use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform at . ## 17. Severability and Entire Agreement If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect. This Agreement, together with the contents of the `LICENSES/` folder and `b3LAB - BatchForge+__LEGAL.md` inside the DMG installer, constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Licensor regarding the Software. --- For questions: contact@b3lab.io · b3lab.io · b3lab.io/ffmpeg-source