another mp3 encoder for Linux

dglidden writes "BladeEnc is another MP3 encoder that's been ported to Linux. The author says that since he lives in Sweden, the laws governing patents allow him to continue to develop and distribute his software despite Fraunhofer's recent attacks on MP3 developers " Ed: AFAIK: In the UK, and I thought in the rest of the EU, algorithms are recognized as mathematics, and therefore unpatentable. Indeed, according to jusrisdiction.com , European Software Patent Law excludes mathematical methods. Any lawyers care to clarify? (The 8Hz guys were students in the Netherlands (EU))

Ed: As the first comment points out: no source :-( However I would like to get some answers on the Patent question.