"Denver Gingerich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 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: > > 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.
This has been the de-facto position of Debian, since to do otherwise would eliminate almost all software in Debian. > 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]. I believe that ffmpeg supports codecs which are being actively litigated, so it is more risky to distribute. Cheers, Walter Landry [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
