Canonical Explains Decision to License H.264 For Ubuntu

tux writes with this snippet from The Register: "Ubuntu's commercial sponsor Canonical has tried to clarify how — if not why — it has licensed a closed-source and patented codec for video on PCs running its Linux. Canonical is the first Linux shop to have agreed to license the codec in question, H.264, from MPEG LA. Even though Red Hat and Novell are also available for use on PCs, they have not licensed H.264."

Comments

Re:Uh, cause that's where everyone's headed?

[Khyber]

"H.264 is where web video is going."

That's what you think. I don't know about you but I was in direct contact with MPEG-LA lawyers recently about their licensing terms (confusion over what constituted commercial use,) and given the terms of their licensing as stated and clarified directly to me, I'll not be surprised to see many, many sites ditching H.264 in favor of something free. You may think theora's a non-starter but you know what, you're all focused on technical limitations and other bullshit when you should worry about "DOES IT FUCKING WORK OR NOT?" That answer is yes, and since it does work, it's viable enough.

H.264 is an open standard for all

[darrenm]

H.264 is an open standard for all... 'Cause Steve Jobs told me so.

Re:Good thing

[Compaqt]

The way some people are saying "just do what people want", I would think that they'd cheer even more if Ubuntu just stopped distributing Linux and became an MS Windows OEM and wholesaler.

Re:Good thing

[smash]

Have fun not being able to use your box for plenty of stuff.