Re: Legal use of multimdedia software

Oh, did the RIAA sign onto that deal as well?

Damien Hull wrote:
> I've never read the MS EULA either. Maybe I should.
>
> Don't hate me for saying this but maybe the Novell Microsoft deal isn't
> so bad. Is it bad to know you won't get sued for using multimedia
> software on Linux?
>
> I'm not a lawyer but the little I do know looks bad. People won't like
> it if you tell them they can't watch youtube or something with Windows
> media. They will run out and get Vista.
>
>
> Greg Madden wrote:
>> On Monday 08 January 2007 13:38, Damien Hull wrote:
>>
>>> I'm wondering how the "legal issues" with multimedia software such as
>>> the w32codecs effects the use of Linux. Is it preventing companies from
>>> deploying and or creating the Linux desktop system?
>>>
>>> How do distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu and Fedora get away with
>>> it? These distributions don't provide the software on the CD. However,
>>> you can fined documentation that explains how to install the w32codecs
>>> along with other multimedia software.
>>>
>> Not all software is illegal outside of the US. There is software for
>> multimedia on a server ( not in the US) for Debian, for those countries
>> where it is legal. So far there isn't any country boundaries on the
>> internet, people do as their concious allows.
>>
>>> A quick Google search shows that libdvdcss and mp3 codecs are in the
>>> gray area. I'm not sure what that means. I think you can get a license
>>> for both.
>>>
>>> The w32codecs are a different story. Apparently the w32codecs are a
>>> copy of the Windows dll's. It is illegal to use them outside of
>>> Windows.
>>>
>> Is it illegal to use them outside f Windows" . Caveat, never have, never
>> will read a MS eula. What If you have a license for them, which most/
>> many folks have can you use them on a computer with the Windows hologram
>> or some such nonsense ?
>>
>>> * Is there a way around all of this?
>>> * Will this kill Linux? ( don't hate me for asking )
>>> o Company may not deploy Linux for fear of being sued
>>>
>> Lindows has purchased licensing for DVD playback, you can probable buy a
>> licensed player from them. Any distro , not user, would probably be sued
>> for offering any of the above without paying licensing fees. Of course I
>> am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.
>>
>
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Received on Tue Jan 9 10:57:01 2007