What is the reason that DVD playback isn't active by default on... well so far every distro I've tried. It is always a huge pain to get working, as of right now I haven't gotten it working at all on 3 different distros (unless them being in VM is the problem in which case ignore thread). I have followed everything I can find on google but to avail... yet.

Is it legal reasons? I did see something about it not being included in the US specifically but it didn't go into detail. Why isn't it included?

Ignore thread, found answers to my question on a fedora wiki.

http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Forbidden_items for those with similar questions about various things not included.

Answer specific to question above :

^ linux mint has most codecs installed by default. they are headquartered in ireland and outside of the jurisdiction of interpol (it may be illigal to use in your country).

Yes, Linux Mint has codecs installed by defualt (including libdvdcss). Yes, linux mint is from ireland (not sure if 'headquatered' is the right word, its not that corporate).

The inclusion of libdvdcss or not has nothing to do with interpol. I dont think you know much about how interpol works. Anyway, interpol are police......do you think they really give a hang about non criminal behaviour like watching a legal copy of a DVD?

BTW, ireland is a member country of interpol.

http://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/Europe/Ireland

The whole reason why lbdvdcss isnt shipped with more distros is because of fears that it might result in legal trouble from DCMA and similar laws. Libdvdcss has never been challanged legally, and IMO it should come under 'fair use' and possibly would be ruled that way if it was legally challanged.

Quite a few distros do ship with libdvdcss though, its not just mint.