On Wed, 21 May 2008 18:32:39 -0400 Daniel Dickinson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On Wed, 21 May 2008 12:25:12 +0200 > "Giacomo A. Catenazzi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Alexander Rozhkov wrote: > > > Good day. > > > I have a question: if I use totem or vlc (both provided by > > > debian) to watch commercially distributed DVD discs, do > > > I have to pay royalty for using codecs? > > > > > > Not unless you're using a codec you got outside debian. Debian can > play non-CSS DVD's without adding anything outside main, in which case > you are using entirely free software and have no royalties to pay
I think the MPEG-2 patent holders would disagree [1]. From what I can tell, MPEG-2 is still covered by numerous patents, at least for a few more years. Most DVDs use MPEG-2 although the standard allows for MPEG-1, but with a maximum resolution of 352x288 [2] so most DVDs don't use it. MPEG-1 would be much safer than MPEG-2 patent-wise [3]. Which package in Debian main includes MPEG-2 support? It sounds like a bug should be reported on this if the Debian people wish to remain entirely free of patent-encumberance. However, if Debian wishes to take a more pragmatic approach, such as allowing in patent-infringing software where the patents are not being actively litigated, then perhaps inclusion of MPEG-2 support in main is ok. The Ubuntu people have chosen to include support for a variety of patented codecs through ffmpeg, but they don't ship it on the CD, only through their mirrors [4]. > If you are using libdvdcss2 from the videolan website, or from > debian-multimedia then the you still don't have to pay royalties, as it > is free software but not distributed in Debian because of legal issues > with doing so within the US (and I believe the EU as well). In Canada, > at present it's allowed to distribute this software AFAIK but there are > moves underway to make distribution illegal, but usage for non-pirating > would be legal. It depends how you interpret Bill C-61. The only section I see that might let you break CSS or distribute the software to do it is the interoperability section (41.12), which states that a person is not breaking the law if he or she "circumvents a technological measure that protects that program or copy for the sole purpose of obtaining information that would allow the person to make the program and any other computer program interoperable". But this only fits if the data on a DVD is considered a "computer program". If the interoperability section doesn't apply, then I'm pretty sure breaking CSS or distributing DeCSS/libdvdcss would be illegal: 41.1(1)(a): "No person shall...circumvent a technological measure" 41.1(1)(c)(i): "No person shall...manufacture, import, provide, ...or distribute...any technology...if the technology...is...produced primarily for the purposes of circumventing a technological measure" Yes, Bill C-61 is quite the awful piece of legislation. If you live in Canada, please tell your MP that it's a bad idea. Denver 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-2#Patent_holders 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD-Video 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-1#Applications (see second bullet point) 4. https://wiki.ubuntu.com/MainInclusionFFmpeg -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
