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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."

5 of 427 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Somebody had to do it... by Dr.+Manhattan · · Score: 5, Informative

    My only question is, how much will it cost?

    Streaming media and web stuff: USD$40. DVD playback: USD$50.00.

    --
    PHEM - party like it's 1997-2003!
  2. Re:Finally! by clang_jangle · · Score: 5, Informative

    I don't think so, but Kubuntu definitely does. They really should either make the kde net admin utility the standard for Ubuntu or upgrade the gnome version to be zero-conf as well.

    --
    Caveat Utilitor
  3. Re:Canonical == Microsoft by snl2587 · · Score: 5, Informative

    I know you're just trolling, but for those who actually feel this way, look at it like this:

    Canonical knows that a large proportion of Ubuntu users download and use the "illegal" codecs without paying the license fees (either directly, where it applies, or indirectly by using the programs that the codec can be legally used for). Canonical does not own these codecs and cannot legally provide or create free alternatives due to all of the craziness surrounding patent law. So they offer an option for their legally-conscious users and business users: fully-supported, license-fee-paid codecs that will not put their users in legal jeopardy.

    Please tell me what the evil in this is.

  4. Re:Finally! by schwinn8 · · Score: 5, Informative

    WICD works wonderfully for me, with zero issues...? http://wicd.sourceforge.net/

  5. Re:Finally! by Teun · · Score: 5, Informative
    The best network manager around is wicd.

    For many it's the only way to get a reliable WPA connection.

    --
    "The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."