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Canonical Offers Sale of Proprietary Codecs for Ubuntu

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."

8 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: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."
  5. 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."
  6. 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.)
  7. Re:Finally! by ColdWetDog · · Score: 2, Funny

    Careful, you might just get what you ask for.

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
  8. 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.