Comment 30 for bug 197957

Kip,
  I just went to re-compile my setup, because I don't remember when I originally rebuilt a52. I won't need to build ffmpeg(libav)...

As Ubuntu currently ships the necessary ac3_fixed encoder!

I belive all that's needed is for this package to make use of it... and that's not against any laws or patents. The law, if any, was broken when libav was compiled with ac3 support.

This whole bug/discussion is pointless.