Florian Weimer wrote: > * Josh Triplett: >>Nathanael Nerode wrote: >>>Edmund GRIMLEY EVANS wrote: >>>>Does Debian main contain any MP3s? If not, would you like to see MP3 >>>>players removed from Debian main? >>> >>>Debian main does contain MP3 recorders. I think that is quite sufficient to >>>render MP3 players useful with no non-free software; you can make your own >>>MP3s. >> >>Debian main does not contain any MP3 encoders. The licensing terms of >>the patent on MP3 require a royalty payment on encoders (but not >>decoders), > > You have to pay royalties for decoders, too: > > <http://www.mp3licensing.com/royalty/index.html>
I see. You're right. On the other hand, Debian has had MP3 decoders in the archive for quite some time, and has never had any problems; perhaps the patent is not being actively enforced against non-revenue-generating targets (or "PR nightmare to attack" targets). In this situation, either MP3 decoders should be removed, or if not, then MP3 *en*coders should be packaged as well, since there does not appear to be any distinction between the two except for the amount of the royalties. - Josh Triplett
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