this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2023
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Most distros have a checkbox during the installer that will add non-free components. It's a separate EULA you need to agree to so they can't do it for you.
You may not care, but the distro provider's legal team absolutely cares about not getting sued for automatically bundling components with an incompatible license agreement
The non-free components I've seen on installers are usually for Nvidia's proprietary drivers. Not codecs.
Sounds like legal panic if you ask me. There's been no precedent for litigation on use of licensed codecs which most have been using either way prior in their builds and packages.
MPEG LA is (now Via Licensing Alliance) has been active in collecting fees and defending patents. There is no reason to assume they won't go after distros, particularly those who can pay given that they are willing to take on anyone else. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG_LA
They have never gone after said distros all those ^many^ ^many^ years they have bundled licensed codecs in their ISOs. What changed?
Because those distros have (as we are talking about) distanced themselves from the patent encumbered codecs? When Google tried to get behind VP8, MPEG LA was right there to try and stop them by trying to get them into the pool.
Edit: I should have said many didn't Fedora opted out of compiling mesa with hardware accell, and it seems others did too recently. But that means it was there the whole time. I guess most distros, that have any money, are going to want shelter from lawsuits.