[clue-tech] mplayerhq shut down -- err, sort of

[Jed S. Baer]

Odd that I haven't seen this on Slashdot yet. I'm sure it'll be there
before long.

>From http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/index.html

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This site has been shut down because of numerous patent violations in
MPlayer. The other free software multimedia players are next.

The European commission has just passed its directive on software patents,
violating democratic rules and procedures to the sole benefit of big
non-European corporation and Ireland and to the detriment of small and
medium sized businesses (which comprise 99% of the European software
industry) and free software.

The European parliament will now be taking the last stand against software
patents in a voting for which an absolute majority is needed. Such a
majority is hard to come by in a parliament with a low attendance level.

But not all is lost yet as long as you decide it is time to make a
difference and take action. This is our last opportunity to fend off
software patents worldwide, there will be no second chance for the
foreseeable future. Contact your local EU representatives and educate them
why software patents are bad and why they must attend that parliament
session to vote against them. For in-depth information and starting points
to get active visit software patent page of the FFII (Foundation for a
Free Information Infrastructure) and NoSoftwarePatents.com.

Wish us luck, we will need it. 

Enter the MPlayer homepage while it is still available.
http://www.mplayerhq.hu/homepage/design7/news.html

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Looks as if downloads are still enabled. So the site hasn't exactly been
shut down. Still, those with bandwidth and disk space might want to think
about grabbing source -- particularly the libraries, as I think those are
the most vulnerable, rather than the front-end stuff. The more places this
stuff exists, the better.

jed
-- 
http://s88369986.onlinehome.us/freedomsight/
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... it is poor civic hygiene to install technologies that could someday
facilitate a police state. -- Bruce Schneier