Hi folks, as a part of my Application i looked at the mpg123 package and took also a look to mpg321. Inside of this analysis i took a look to the homepage of thompson. There is a pricing list for every decoder that is able to play mp3 files [1]. This means for every decoder program round about 0.75 $ for every copy of the decoder. I wasn't able to find any exception of this fee. According to the DFSG this makes every mp3 decoder non-free or even undistributable. Searching through debian-legal archives I wasn't able to find any good answer why we are contrary to the regulations of the mp3 patent. Maybe (I'm not sure about this) we could move mpg321 to non-US but I don't think this makes mp3 decoders more legal. Currently its not the practise of thompsons to ask developers of free mp3 decoders for a fee, but this could change in the future. So we need a solution of this problem. formorer [1] http://www.mp3licensing.com/royalty/index.html -- Alexander "formorer" Wirt KeyID: BC7D020A EMail: formorer@formorer.de ICQ: 28651245 WWW: http://www.formorer.de Encrypted and Signed Email preferred.
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