ubuntu-restricted-extras

Ubuntu Restricted Extras
Developer(s)	various
Stable release	56
Platform	Ubuntu (Linux)
Available in	English
License	Various (Ubuntu MOTU Developers)
Website	Ubuntu wiki RestrictedFormats

Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a software package for the computer operating system Ubuntu that allows the user to install essential software which is not already included due to legal or copyright reasons.

It is a meta-package that installs:

Support for MP3 and unencrypted DVD playback
Microsoft TrueType core fonts
Adobe Flash plugin
codecs for common audio and video files

Background[]

The software in this package is not included in Ubuntu by default because Ubuntu maintainers want to include only completely free software in out-of-the-box installations. The software in this package may be closed-source, encumbered by software patents, or otherwise restricted. For example, the Adobe Flash plugin is a closed-source piece of software. Additionally, many multimedia formats such as MP3 and H.264 are patented. In countries where these patents apply, legally distributing software that use these formats may require paying licensing fees to the patent owners.^[1]

Contents[]

The Ubuntu Restricted Extras is a metapackage and has the following dependencies:^[2]

flashplugin-installer
gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg
gstreamer0.10-fluendo-mp3
gstreamer0.10-pitfdll
gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly
gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse
icedtea6-plugin
libavcodec-extra-52
libmp4v2-0
ttf-mscorefonts-installer
unrar

Starting with Ubuntu 10.10, several of these dependencies are included indirectly via another meta-package ubuntu-restricted-addons which is included by default.

Inclusion[]

Due to the legal status of the software included in Ubuntu Restricted Extras, the package is not included by default on any Ubuntu CDs.^[3] However, some distributions, such as Super OS, Pinguy OS and do bundle the package on their installation CDs or DVDs.^{[citation needed]}