SHOUTcast Trans MP3 unlocking trick. [BONUS]

[deephouselounge]

Hey everyone.

 

I wanted to spread a little trick you can do if you are using Centovacast with SHOUTcast v2 with sc_trans. As you may or may not know you need to purchase an MP3 unlocking code in order to broadcast MP3's with V2 and sc_trans. Since Winamp was sold to Radionomy the option to purchase an MP3 unlock code has been deceased.

 

So you want to use v2 with sc_trans?

 

1. You already have 1 or more codes?

Solution - Reuse one of those codes.

 

2. You don't have any codes but know someone who does.

Solution - ask them to use one of their codes OR the ability to purchase the usage of one of those codes.

 

These codes are NOT sent online and checked by a db anywhere. So you don't have to worry about anything.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers.

 

Bryon

[shoutcaststreaming]

This is stealing. The unlock code is only a few dollars.

[James]

This is stealing. The unlock code is only a few dollars.

 

Unfortunately it has been taken off sale. Unofficial word from DrO on the Winamp forums states...

the DigitalRiver store was closed as part of the sale of Winamp and SHOUTcast. it is not clear what is going to happen with sc_trans and purchasing of licenses and so there's not a lot which can be advised though selling the licenses is somewhat pointless i'd have to say as there was no way to track them anyway and if stations are doing stream encoding illegally (as encoding to MP3 / AAC is required to pay a small license fee to do it correctly according to the licensing on those codecs) then there's nothing SHOUTcast, etc can do to monitor it anyway.

Source: http://forums.winamp.com/showpost.php?p=2985719&postcount=3

 

Technically it is stealing as the license key is used to pay royalties to the MP3 codec team, but on DrO's advice, apparently they're okay with you using other peoples licenses.

 

I have asked high up at Radionomy for an official word on the matter, hope we can get an answer.

[deephouselounge]

Hello Shoutcaststreaming.

 

There is nothing to steal. The code is not available or being sold anymore.

 

I find your post a bit ironic. You might want to rethink your company name as its infringing on a trademark.

 

http://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4807:pkegv5.2.1

 

This is stealing. The unlock code is only a few dollars.

[James]

Hello Shoutcaststreaming.

 

There is nothing to steal. The code is not available or being sold anymore.

 

I find your post a bit ironic. You might want to rethink your company name as its infringing on a trademark.

 

The MP3 codec is still fully active and distributed by Digital River/Fraunhofer Institute, it is just not being resold under Winamp's name due to licensing issues with the new owners. There are legal proceedings happening right now for Radionomy to start reselling mp3 licenses for encoding.

 

The original issue is still, distributing your paid licenses is illegal. MP3 is a licensed codec, it falls under many trademarks and patents. You need to pay to encode in MP3, you simply cannot redistribute an encoding license key.

 

For now, let's take DrO's word of advice. If you are desperate in the mean time, feel free to share license keys (since Fraunhofer cannot track keys).

 

I'll keep this thread updated with info if the $5 keys ever pop back up.

[deephouselounge]

Thanks for your reply James,

 

"The original issue is still, distributing your paid licenses is illegal. MP3 is a licensed codec, it falls under many trademarks and patents. You need to pay to encode in MP3, you simply cannot redistribute an encoding license key."

 

Can you please show some proof that it is illegal to redistribute the mp3 license key.

 

 

The MP3 codec is still fully active and distributed by Digital River/Fraunhofer Institute, it is just not being resold under Winamp's name due to licensing issues with the new owners. There are legal proceedings happening right now for Radionomy to start reselling mp3 licenses for encoding.

 

The original issue is still, distributing your paid licenses is illegal. MP3 is a licensed codec, it falls under many trademarks and patents. You need to pay to encode in MP3, you simply cannot redistribute an encoding license key.

 

For now, let's take DrO's word of advice. If you are desperate in the mean time, feel free to share license keys (since Fraunhofer cannot track keys).

 

I'll keep this thread updated with info if the $5 keys ever pop back up.

[deephouselounge]

Oh and FYI....

 

http://www.mp3licensing.com/help/index.html#4

 

4) Do I need a license to stream mp3 encoded content over the Internet?

 

Yes. A license is needed for commercial (i.e., revenue-generating) use of mp3 in broadcast systems (terrestrial, satellite, cable and/or other distribution channels), streaming applications (via Internet, intranets and/or other networks), other content distribution systems (pay-audio or audio-on-demand applications and the like) or for use of mp3 on physical media (compact discs, digital versatile discs, semiconductor chips, hard drives, memory cards and the like).

 

However, no license is needed for private, non-commercial activities (e.g., home-entertainment, receiving broadcasts and creating a personal music library), not generating revenue or other consideration of any kind or for entities with associated annual gross revenue less than US$ 100 000.00.

[PapaBearPW]

As far as I know, the MP3 license was to protect winamp/shoutcast/aol and not the broadcasters. As a software developer, you are required to pay royalties for any mp3 encoder/decoder you incorporate in your software. Since the rate is $5 U.S. per unit for encoders, this would cover what the license codes were for. What the legalities are with regard to using other peoples codes, I don't know. I suppose Frauenhofer could try to hold winamp responsible for not preventing codes from being used more than once, but I think that would fail. Broadcasting in MP3 does not require a MP3 license if it is non-profit AFAIK.

[djsoft]

This is stealing. The unlock code is only a few dollars.

It's not possible to purchase the code anymore, the shop was shut down months ago...

[djsoft]

Solution - ask them to use one of their codes OR the ability to purchase the usage of one of those codes.

I don't think re-selling the code is legal.

But if you ask Google for "unlockkeycode", it will offer you some options

[deephouselounge]

Thanks djsoft.

 

I do appreciate your post as I enjoy an active forum but I am looking for solid facts and not someones thoughts.

 

So far no one has been able to show me specific data that its "illegal" to resell or share an mp3 license key.

 

 

I don't think re-selling the code is legal.

But if you ask Google for "unlockkeycode", it will offer you some options

[James]

Thanks djsoft.

 

I do appreciate your post as I enjoy an active forum but I am looking for solid facts and not someones thoughts.

 

So far no one has been able to show me specific data that its "illegal" to resell or share an mp3 license key.

 

So far nobody has provided solid facts for either side. Everyone is assuming that you are not breaking the law.

 

My advice, don't take the risk until proof from either a member, Radionomy or Fraunhofer Institute. Anything regarding law should be taken with a grain of salt unless official word has been spoken or your Lawyer has provided sound advice.

 

Since the licenses were sold ($5), use some common sense and don't just assume that now it's sold that the licenses are free.

[deephouselounge]

If you state something is, you need to prove it. I don't have to prove that which is not.

 

So far nobody has provided solid facts for either side. Everyone is assuming that you are not breaking the law.

 

My advice, don't take the risk until proof from either a member, Radionomy or Fraunhofer Institute. Anything regarding law should be taken with a grain of salt unless official word has been spoken or your Lawyer has provided sound advice.

 

Since the licenses were sold ($5), use some common sense and don't just assume that now it's sold that the licenses are free.

[James]

If you state something is, you need to prove it. I don't have to prove that which is not.

 

Agreed, but we are talking about a specific Mp3 codec here. There are different variations of codecs, some free, some paid. The one you are suggesting, was paid. Since it is no longer available for purchase doesnt mean it should be a free for all grab. Especially when it currently being negotiated in a court of law between Radionomy and Fraunhofer.

[deephouselounge]

All assumptions my friend.

 

Show me to data!

 

Agreed, but we are talking about a specific Mp3 codec here. There are different variations of codecs, some free, some paid. The one you are suggesting, was paid. Since it is no longer available for purchase doesnt mean it should be a free for all grab. Especially when it currently being negotiated in a court of law between Radionomy and Fraunhofer.

[James]

All assumptions my friend.

 

Show me to data!

 

Assumptions and common courtesy.

[PapaBearPW]

I must pose a question then. What is the difference between copying these license codes and copying any other kind of license? I don't think it is legal. Whoever purchased the license likely had to agree to certain terms. It is up to them to provide proof of legality in the form of whatever agreement they made when purchasing the code, prior to distributing it.

[saint]

Just to toss a monkey wrench into the conversation, what about streaming in Ogg or Opus ?

( Both are open source and free ! )

 

VLC could be used to stream either of those codecs to a Shoutcast server.

[saint]

You do not need automation software for VLC, just some basic coding skills.

 

You create a standard PLS or M3U playlist,

 

Adjust the script so that it will play xx number of songs ( from one primary folder ) or xx number of songs ( from different folders containing different genres ).

 

Adjust the script so that it will play xx announcements after so many songs played.

 

End the PLS or M3U playlist with a link to a following playlist.

 

Time the playlist so that the script will create another playlist prior to the finishing of the current playlist.

 

The previous playlist will seamlessly role over to the new playlist file.

 

This process could be used to play specific programs for different parts of the broadcast day as well.

 

Incorporate into the script provisions that will prevent repeat appearances of songs or artists within the time span of the created playlist.

 

* Think outside the box *

 

High speed - low drag - command line debauchery

[voodoohippie]

I think if I have read that in the USA if a piece of software is obsolete like MusicMach Jukebox lets say and you absolutely wanted to use that software (don't know why) you could legally patch it, crack it and its legal. Since Sc_trans is no longer in development I'd think that it falls under that category. How can someone be liable for a defunct non supported piece of software if keys, patches, cracks were destributed for the software. Now something like SAM Broadcaster is another story it is still being sold so even if you wanted V2, V3, even V1 it would be illegal to crack, spread keys for the old versions. some sites do offer keys for non supported/defunct software.

 

Now if it is not legal the law needs to change for the poor saps who purchased the software and can no longer use it for whatever reason. Too much greed from the US copyright trolls anyway.