Public bug reported: Binary package hint: totem
I just read this slashdot article "Do "Illegal" Codecs Actually Scare Linux Users?" (http://linux.slashdot.org/linux/07/07/19/1527247.shtml) and it seems that Ubuntu is showing a scary dialog when Totem tries to automatically install restricted codecs such as mp3/wma/wmv/dvd even when the user is not resident in USA and in countries where the use of these codecs would be legal. "The use of some of this software may be restricted in some countries. You must verify that one of the following is true: 1. These restrictions do not apply in your country of legal residence. 2. You have permission to use this software (for example, a patent license). 3. You are using this software for research purposes only. " This scary dialog should only be shown in countries where these restrictions apply. They just scare off and confuse users in countries where these restrictions are void (most of the world). And in the countries where these silly software patent restrictions apply, like in USA, the user should have a 1-click easy option to buy licensed codecs such as from e.g. http://shop.fluendo.com or pay for e.g. a licensed dvd player such as PowerDVD for Linux (http://www.bluesquad.com/usa/prod.php?pid=1989) Until, at least, the codec patents expire, like MP3 in 2011 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MP3). Some users don't mind or even read these legal warnings, but they seem to scare newcomers and businesses off Ubuntu since they don't have legal expertise to decide the matter. ** Affects: totem (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New -- Totem shows scary 'legalese' codec warnings even in countries where they are legal https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/127019 You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is the bug contact for Ubuntu. -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
