VLC player seems like it would be illegal (in U.S. at least)

[sgtmattbaker]

With all the codecs supported (xvid, libdvdcss for certain, h.264, divx, etc.) it seems like VideoLAN client would be illegal to even have in the United States.

[VLC_help]

You can compile yourself a version which doesn't include xvid, libdvdcss, h.264 etc. if you think it helps you avoid legal issues.

[sgtmattbaker]

Yeah, I could, but if I did that what support would that leave, matroska and ogg? All the MPEG stuff seems like it requires royalties, and I would be safe to say that Real player, Quicktime and Windows Media would do the same.

[davidmorehouse16]

Then stop your complaining and stop being such a wuss. Oh no it is illegal but does it make sense. Would you stop eating if it was illegal I wouldn't first off its a necesity and the law makes NO sense

[sgtmattbaker]

Your argument is hilariously stupid. Outlawing eating isn't even plausible and does not relate to the matter at hand at all. MPEG, Quicktime, Real Player, Windows Media, etc. are all technologies developed by companies with a corporate interest. While many people don't like the idea of corporations making so much money, they do have the right to sell and enforce usage rights on technology they invented. Disregarding what they say is blatantly stealing. You can say what you want, but if you live in the United States, it is illegal.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Well, It may be illegal in the US, country that support software patents... But it may be not. Noone really knows, in fact.

Two issues:
* libdvdcss is illegal in the USA. Removing the dll will fix that for you.
* all the codecs. Well, it is a bit unknown, because VLC doesn't make money on that... So, this is discutable. Moreover, all the codecs packs for all other player (including WMP) are the same legality...
So I doubt anyone uses none of those codecs packs and therefore this industry is a bit hypocrit.

[davidmorehouse16]

My early post makes no sense and I guess I didn't read it before posting. What I meant (but obviously didn't say) was that Its illegal but your not going to get arrested for just using it to play videos. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

My early post makes no sense and I guess I didn't read it before posting. What I meant (but obviously didn't say) was that Its illegal but your not going to get arrested for just using it to play videos. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Nothing is illegal until proven otherwise...

libdvdcss is most probably illegal in the USA, but this can be challenged in court.
Codecs patents have to be proven first...