Ogg isn't a codec. Ogg is a container. Theora is a codec.
Well, I'm glad you're paying attention, Mr. Nitpick. Now what about paying attention to what actually matters?
Nope, he's telling GNU people to go fuck themselves. There's a difference.
It's not a GPL vs the rest of the world issue. Mozilla is not a GPL project, yet they have been pushing hard for an open, unencumbered codec. This is just as much an issue for any other open source software and commercial software vendors.
and they're both plugged into a Dell, running Linux.
Well, then you better hope that other people are smarter about licenses and open systems because than you if people had your kind of attitude, Linux wouldn't exist.
Who, exactly, am I supposed to be a fanboy of?
I'm sorry, I thought you were confused, but obviously, you're merely incompetent.
Apple owns exactly one patent on h.264. The hardware might be a factor,
Well, so they are not particularly innovative, but it only takes one to be part of the club. And it's not just the hardware, it's also the fact that they have no expertise implementing other codecs; they'd be on a level playing field.
VP8 might be a solution.
Solution to what? Apple isn't going to give in. The argument that h.264 is better is a red herring; it has nothing to do with their opposition to open codecs.
VP8 may be a "solution" in the sense that Google has enough of the mobile market that they can simply switch over YouTube and tell Apple to get lost.