Free Software Replacements....

Browntoa

mmmm...sort of grey area here, seems there may be "hacked" DLL files + codecs in there

these are legal

http://www.xpcodecpack.com/

spa2k

leesmithg wrote:

Don't tell me about getting my facts right.

You are posting software that is using codecs from other products.

Even large codec packs are illegal.

So you go get your facts right.

do you have proof to back up your allegations??

If so, i will post an unreserved apology, if not, i feel one is due.

leesmithg

Mr_Hankey wrote:

I cannot find anything to substantiate leesmithg's post aswell I think hes incorrect totally.

O.K. first reasoning, quicktime alternative also includes a key so you can run
apple quick time pro v7.1, so there has to be a problem there.

Go read this here

masonic

spa2k wrote:

do you have proof to back up your allegations??

If so, i will post an unreserved apology, if not, i feel one is due.

Far be it from me to suggest that anything from this source should be taken as gospel, but see this page. As far as I am aware, both Quicktime/Real Alternative are unlicensed redistributions of those codecs. It is illegal to supply copyrighted codecs owned by other parties within applications without licence.

It is a simple case of copyright violation. People should be aware of this when they decide whether or not to install these programs.

masonic

Mr_Hankey wrote:

Not forgetting Wiki is written by any old Tom !!!!!! or Harry and is sometimes incorrect

Hence, "Far be it from me to suggest that anything from this source should be taken as gospel". I haven't seen any sources suggesting these programs are licensed yet, even unreliable ones.

masonic

Mr_Hankey wrote:

I suppose Id best inform Apple then, are they on the net?

:rotfl:

It's been going on for years - Apple had to disclose the format when they patented it and it wasn't long before other players started "supporting" it without permission. It's hardly worth their while persuing people for duplicating the features of a player they've been giving away for free. If people start dishing out software that can encode the format as well, then Apple might become interested.

spa2k

leesmithg wrote:

O.K. first reasoning, quicktime alternative also includes a key so you can run
apple quick time pro v7.1, so there has to be a problem there.

Go read this here

As yet you have posted absolutely NO proof that these programs are illegal....you made the allegation that i am posting links to pirated software and you therefore have a duty to prove it.

The fact that a program needs a license key does not make another program illegal.

Your link to answers.com merely says its legitimacy has come into question, but does not say who by....for all we know it could be you!!

garcia

masonic wrote:

It's hardly worth their while persuing people for duplicating the features of a player they've been giving away for free.

errr ... if they can't be bothered why the heck should we? Copyright infringement is *their* problem. As far as I'm concerned these players are feely and publicly available. End of story.

spa2k

From the wonderful http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirated_software

[SIZE=-1]The copyright infringement of software, also called software piracy, refers to several practices when done without the permission of the copyright holder:* Creating a copy and selling it. This is the act most people refer to as software piracy. This is copyright infringement in most countries and is unlikely to be fair use or fair dealing if the work remains commercially available

or from [/SIZE]http://www.aufait.net/misc/aup.html

[SIZE=-1]Pirated software is defined as the illegal exchange of software via the Internet for purposes of avoiding the purchase of said software by the individuals involved. The exportation of software or technical information in violation of US export control laws is also prohibited.

Now, as no commercial gain is being made by the publishers of the alternative programs and no loss is suffered by the original publishers as their programs are given away for free, please explain precisely how the programs are software piracy?
[/SIZE]

masonic

garcia wrote:

errr ... if they can't be bothered why the heck should we? Copyright infringement is *their* problem. As far as I'm concerned these players are feely and publicly available. End of story.

Exactly. This is an issue between Apple and the authors of that software. Suggesting people who download the software are criminals is like suggesting people who read/watched the Da Vinci Code would be criminals if the plagiarism court case had gone the other way.