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Topic: What media can be played legally ?, What media can be played legally ?< Next Oldest | Next Newest >
manishsadh Offline





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Posted: Feb. 15 2007,08:28 QUOTE

Hi Forum friends,

I would like to know if it is possible to build media services around dsl and actually start a business legally.

for example

can i play mp3 files using mpg321 ? if i can why is mp3 considered a copyrighted format ?

how about

                           xmms -     cd
                           mplayer -    vcd
                           mplayer -    dvd (all the version of it)
                           mplayer -     mpeg1 ,2,3 and 4
                           mplayer -    avi
                           
                           adobe player/ firefox plugin -     flash
                           xmms - streaming mp3

thanks you very much.
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mikshaw Offline





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Posted: Feb. 15 2007,12:57 QUOTE

Everything is copyrighted, as soon as the author puts his name to it.  I think you're referring to the "patent" issue of the mp3 format, where numerous parties have (had?) claimed patent rights to it. This issue can theretically be applied to any software, since there is always the possibility that someone somewhere will make a claim to it, typically for financial gain. Therefore the legality of anything could potentially come into question at some point. Fortunately there are formats that have been developed under free license terms, which are less likely to suffer patent trolling.

As far as being able to play mp3 files, I don't think there is any major issue. The main problem is the files themselves...what is the source of the file (who actually owns it, was it pirated) and what software was used to create the file.

As far as I know, the biggest issue among those you mentioned is DVD, specifically encrypted DVD.  If you live in the USA, I understand you can't legally play encrypted disks using libdvdcss because it is not an authorized decrypter (authorized by Hollywood, I assume).


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http://www.tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/index.html
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lucky13 Offline





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Posted: Feb. 15 2007,13:41 QUOTE

Quote (mikshaw @ Feb. 15 2007,07:57)
As far as being able to play mp3 files, I don't think there is any major issue. The main problem is the files themselves...what is the source of the file (who actually owns it, was it pirated) and what software was used to create the file.

It would also depend how the music was being used. You can't go buy a copy of a Beatles CD and then use their music in an advertising campaign. Alas, you also can't broadcast their music without owing them royalties. The definition of broadcasting extends to background music in a business, podcasts, radio broadcasts, etc.

This article would cause me to think twice about whose music I played in a podcast, on a radio station, in a diner or coffeehouse. ASCAP/BMI control and collect the royalties for copyrighted music in the US.BMI's position is that one doesn't own a right to use their artists' music except for personal use. From one of their FAQs:
Quote
Q: Is a tape or CD my personal property to play where and when I like?
No. Although, most people buy tapes and CDs thinking they are now their property, there is a distinction in the law between owning a copy of the CD and owning the songs on the CD. There is also a difference between a private performance of copyrighted music and a public performance. Most people recognize that purchasing a CD doesn't give them the right to make copies of it to give or sell to others. The record company and music publishers retain those rights. Similarly, the music on the CDs and tapes still belongs to the songwriter, composer or music publisher of the work. When you buy a tape or CD, the purchase price covers only your private listening use, similar to the "home" use of "home" videos. Once you decide to play these tapes or CDs in your restaurant or nightclub it becomes a public performance. Songwriters, composers, and music publishers have the exclusive right of public performance of their musical works under the U.S. copyright law. Therefore, any public performance, whether live or recorded, requires permission from the copyright owner - or BMI - if it is BMI-affiliated music. With a BMI Music License, you can publicly perform all BMI-affiliated music.


Their position extends to other businesses. If the music is from an ASCAP/BMI artist, there are legal issues and there will be certain hurdles to clear. That includes licensing and royalty agreements. There are also "less evil" sources for music like Magnatune who encourage people to share and use their artists' music.


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"It felt kind of like having a pitbull terrier on my rear end."
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WDef Offline





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Posted: Feb. 15 2007,16:37 QUOTE

As I understand it the potential patent infringement with mp3 concerns only encoders, not decoders.  Players are ok.

Any installation of mp3 encoding software binaries (like lame) could theoretically be subject to a fee imposed by the alleged patent holder (Fraunhoffer) depending on which country you live in.  Also it could be technically illegal to download such software (again, depending on the country).  However, this issue is very unpopular, and the mp3 format so widespread ..  A lot of repos, distros and websites etc are distributing lame binaries and similar so the threat can't be all that real.

AFAIKT no action over libdvdcss has ever been taken in any court anywhere and the issue seems to be a fizzle.  There's a good wikepedia entry.  It's not about copy protection as people assume - it's that encrypted DVD players and software is supposed to be licensed by the DVD Forum.  I suspect the DVD Forum doesn't sue anybody because they don't want the FSF, EFF etc ganging up and challenging their patent in the courts - but I'm not a lawyer and that's just a guess.
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manishsadh Offline





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Posted: Feb. 16 2007,07:12 QUOTE

Hi folks,

That was informative. thanks.
i guess i can play mp3 files without any problems may be in a kiosk used by an organization. ofcourse i am referring to non-copyrighted mp3s downloaded from the web or maybe non-copyrighted ogg files downloaded. i have seen a lot web sites which have non-copyrighted content.

if i want to rip my own purchased cds i would rip them into oggs.

i suppose flash wont be a problem either.

is there a stand alone flash player for dsl by the way ?

thank u.
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