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Canonical Offers Sale of Proprietary Codecs for Ubuntu

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the just-trying-to-help-the-users dept.

ruphus13 writes "Playing DVDs on Linux that required proprietary codecs has been a source of much pain. Ubuntu (or anyone else, for that matter) is not legally allowed to redistribute these codecs. So, users were left with sub-optimal choices. Convert the multimedia to an open format, acquire new media, or use a codec 'found' on the web, which may be illegal. In its continued effort to have a seamless and slick user experience, Canonical made the hard choice to offer the sale and support for proprietary codecs that users had to actually purchase for Ubuntu. This is not a fight Canonical can fight alone, and they are sure to get some grief for the decision."

10 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Somebody had to do it... by Dr.+Manhattan · · Score: 4, Funny

    I get an assortment of professional third party software (eg Photoshop)

    If you're getting Photoshop for free, too, then you shouldn't have any problem with the free Linux codecs. :->

    --
    PHEM - party like it's 1997-2003!
  2. Re:not illegal by mweather · · Score: 3, Funny

    Let's test your theory. Put DeCSS up on a website hosted in the US with your name and address on it, then mail a link to the FBI.

  3. ...You blinded her? by XanC · · Score: 5, Funny

    On purpose? Did you go to jail?

  4. Re:Canonical == Microsoft by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    translation:

    Canonical knows that criminals are making use of stolen codecs, and is attempting to get more money from the honest side of the tiny tiny market of linux users that are too cheap to have a fully functional system that can be used out of the box by ANYONE.

    They should be saluted for trying to correct this thieving practice by zealots.

  5. Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Dimwit. Now everyone knows your WPA passphrase is areallytopsecretpassphrase. LOL! Your access point is toast.

  6. Re:Finally! by Teun · · Score: 2, Funny

    As we speak the state is bailing out the whole economy. The state hates capitalism

    Yeah, about since Monday right?

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
  7. Re:Finally! by Teun · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm no poly sci major, but I think patents constitute government interference in the free market.

    Sure, and telling you what side of the road to drive on is interference in Darwinism.

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
  8. Re:Finally! by entrylevel · · Score: 4, Funny

    This is why I gave-up on proprietary OSes.

    That word... I do not think it means what you think it means.

    --
    Karma: Incomprehensible (Mostly affected by posting at +5, reading at -1, and metamoderating everything unfair.)
  9. Re:Finally! by ColdWetDog · · Score: 2, Funny

    Careful, you might just get what you ask for.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  10. Re:Finally! by Excelsior · · Score: 2, Funny

    Holy crap, that explains a lot. All these years I've been trying to give my body away to women for free.