But for some reason, Firefox refuses to play back those kinds of files.

And that reason is because x264 is a free and open source implementation of the H.264 codec, and you still need to pay a license to use the patented technology regardless of how you do that. Using a free implementation of the code doesn't get you a free license for the codec.

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Narishma 4 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Haven't those patents expired by now?

	▲	layer8 an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Some have, but it depends on the profile used, and also on the country: https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Have_the_patents_for_H.264_M...

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anthk 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Just in the US. Not in Europe. At least for decoding.