Restricted Multimedia Formats - The Solutions

The problem with restricted multimedia formats has been described in RestrictedFormatsProblem. Since it is a complex issue, any possible solution would imply some kind of compromise.

Right now, there are two proposed solutions:

1) Making two versions of Ubuntu: one for countries with software patents (equal to the Ubuntu we have now), and the other for the rest of the world (with out-of-the-box support for MP3, DVDs, DivX, etc).

• Pros: better out-of-the-box experience for non-USA users, might raise patent awareness.

• Cons: doesn't help users from the USA, requires the overhead of maintaining two versions.

2) Including some kind of post-install assistant with Ubuntu, that asks users if they live in a software-patent-country or not, and then installs all the necessary packages (wether by downloading them or by pulling them from the CD if bundling those files is legal).

• Pros: better desktop experience for all users, might raise patent awareness (slightly).

• Cons: requires Internet connectivity.

(a first draft of this spec can be found in RestrictedFormatsAssistant)