http://www.audioblog.iis.fraunhofer.com/mp3-software-patents-licenses/
However, the end of the mp3 licensing program does not automatically mean that all mp3 technology is available license-free now. Apart from the core mp3 patents included in the licensing program, there might still be some implementation–specific patents (or patents for other functional enhancements) that have not expired. Thus, manufacturers will have to check the situation regarding their intended products first before including mp3.
Again a lot of vagueness and hardware related talk indicating it is still THERE but at the same time dead... weird...
I do recall a discussion a few years ago [On another forum] about the licence costs associated with games development being null and no longer required but thought it still had a time frame at the time still remaining... I suppose someone just needs to email them asking about it...
I thought the pipeline supported it anyway?
EDIT
You can put in a request here:
https://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/ff/amm/prod/audiocodec/audiocodecs/mp3.html#tabpanel-2