Re: Legal use of multimdedia software

I don't think they do get away with it.

I just got my Fedora workstation at home playing DVDs again. The
versions of Totem & xine that came with fc6 seemed to have the same
crippling that the ones that comes with suse has. I had to go get xine
from Freshrpms to get something un-crippled.

The only way I've used w32 codecs is through wine (Crossover).

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.
>
> 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 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
>
>
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Received on Tue Jan 9 11:06:16 2007