[DotGNU]data files (was Re: Concept: Box files)

[S11001001]

Vassilis Pandis wrote:
> > Can support files like mp3 or jpeg be build into the
> > assembly? With the box
>
> MP3 support would not be legally possible because MP3
> is a patented file format. Yes, I know that there are
> free programs suporting MP3s, but they are at the risk
> of being sued ( so are Sony and other companies that
> built hardware 'MP3 players') . Ogg Vorbis would be
> the way to go.

<http://newsforge.com/newsforge/02/08/29/1633205.shtml?tid=17>

If free of charge, no royalty, evidently. However, free software can be 
sold.

But I don't think this is an issue; IIRC, the type of the data being 
packaged is none of box's business.

--
Stephen Compall
DotGNU `Contributor' -- http://dotgnu.org

Sometimes I think that perhaps one of the best things I could do with
my life is: find a gigantic pile of proprietary software that was a
trade secret, and start handing out copies on a street corner so it
wouldn't be a trade secret any more, and perhaps that would be a much
more efficient way for me to give people new free software than
actually writing it myself; but everyone is too cowardly to even take
it.
        -- RMS, Lecture at KTH (Sweden), 30 October 1986