Spread Open Media/en/Why Open Media Matters

This wiki entry is related with the Spread Open Media project.
You may edit it up to your taste and, after approval, it will show on the web site.
If you would like to translate this page to your language, go here for instructions.

Compare it to the popular formats

• Free formats have the same or better quality compared with proprietary ones like MP3 or Flash.
• You can share media files across P2P and different operating systems, and it will work on those computers because the specification of the formats are open.
• No matter your needs, be it music, speech, video, playlists, or slideshows: open media will cover them.
• You can save your bandwidth in case you author podcasts or stream content, and those will have better quality than when using proprietary formats.

Choose it over the popular formats

• You can use, modify, and distribute free software for open formats without needing permission from (or paying royalties to) software patent holders.
• The license on open formats cannot be changed or revoked. No matter what happens, you will still be in control of your own content.
• Similarly, the art and music you purchase, own, or download can be stored in open formats without any worries over future intellectual property restrictions.
• Whenever you buy music or videos online with open media, you will know they won't be crippled with DRM.

Tell your friends

• If you help spread the word, then you will see more support and compatibility in portable players, which will benefit everyone.
• The more people that use open media, the better formats you can expect in the future, so if you use open media you are making the world a little bit of a better place.