> IceCast recommends OGG but it does mention how to set up an MP3 stream
> http://www.icecast.org/docs/icecast-2.3.3/icecast2_basicsetup.html
Would streaming a patent-encumbered format infringe patents? I don't know. I
would think not, but maybe I'm wrong.
> Both incorporate MuSE and allow it to stream out via IceCast.
I installed MuSE and I couldn't find the MP3 functionality (not saying it
isn't there though).
> This is not a free software issue. The programs themselves are not
recommending non-free software.
Maybe, but free software aims to give freedom to all of the community. Free
software is about legal freedom as much as technical. A community in a
country without copyright could potentially use leaked Windows source code to
compile an OS that would free for them, but it wouldn't be free for the rest
of the world.
Regarding patents, it seems that any software technique, format or design can
be patented in the US these days. But there are some patents that stand out
more than others, like the MP3 patents which are actively enforced.
However, I equally think having MP3-importing software is important, so that
users can use free formats.
Maybe it would be better if patented software was in a separate repository,
so that it would be easier for a Trisquel-based distro to not include it? The
idea isn't too far-fetched (IMHO) - Fedora avoids including patented
software, and users have to use third-party repos instead.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
