March 8th patent expired describing the technique (Scale Invariant Feature Transform), designed to identify features in images. SIFT is applicable in areas such as object recognition in an image, overlaying 3D models on a real image in augmented reality systems, map matching, 3D location determination, and panorama stitching. Whereas previously SIFT was required to obtain a license or permission to use SIFT in commercial projects, it is now available to everyone.
SIFT Implementation in OpenCV, but relegated to the set of modules "", separate inclusion. The expiration of the patent will allow SIFT to be transferred to the main composition of OpenCV, as well as to use it without restriction for pattern recognition in free projects.
Source: opennet.ru