Comment 9 for bug 5237

There are specifications in-the-works that concern restricted formats. See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/EasyCodecInstallation and https://wiki.ubuntu.com/RestrictedFormatsAssistant. The EasyCodecInstallation specification is concerned with an on-demand installation method. The RestrictedFormatsAssitant suggests having something similar to what has been requested here.

It doesn't seem likely that the RestrictedFormatsAssitant would pass through legislation. As you see here, most people are against extra questions; they wish to have as few as possible. This makes sense.

The EasyCodecInstallation spec seems to be the way to go, since you won't be bugging the user more than you would be by telling him "this format is not supported". Users that have no care to use these restricted formats will never be bothered.

If you'd like to see the problem of "restricted formats" alleviated (I know I would), you should probably move your ideas towards these specifications.