From our front-page news:
Last month, we posted about Real Network's latest product release, "RealDVD". As you can judge by the name, it's an application that handles your DVDs, both in ripping and playback. The difference between RealDVD and the countless DVD rippers found en masse online was that Real's product is designed to be 'legal'. It tried to accomplish this by leaving the CSS encryption in tact when ripping to the PC, but that alone doesn't seem to be enough for the good ole MPAA.
Apparently, some shareholders (who know nothing about the product) complained and now the MPAA took the issue to the courts. As a result, Real Networks was forced to temporarily suspend distribution of the application, at least until the judge reviews all of the information. If this doesn't show what kind of people are hanging out at the MPAA, nothing will. While there are countless "illegal" DVD rippers available online, they go after the only one that tries to be legal.
It's of course obvious that suing Real will do nothing to thwart DVD ripping, as it takes little to no effort to find a replacement. RealDVD sought after legal consumers and made it obvious to anyone who read up on the product. The DVD could only be played through RealDVD, while other DVD rippers allow you to decode the CSS encryption and use it anywhere - yet the MPAA doesn't seem too interested in those.
A temporary restraining order has been issued against Real while the judge takes time to review all of the available documents. A decision will apparently be made on Tuesday as to whether the suspension will remain in place and for how long, a Real representative told NewTeeVee. Given the tenacity of the movie studios when it comes to copyright infringement, however, the MPAA isn't likely to let the restraining order be lifted without a fight.
Source: Ars Technica
Apparently, some shareholders (who know nothing about the product) complained and now the MPAA took the issue to the courts. As a result, Real Networks was forced to temporarily suspend distribution of the application, at least until the judge reviews all of the information. If this doesn't show what kind of people are hanging out at the MPAA, nothing will. While there are countless "illegal" DVD rippers available online, they go after the only one that tries to be legal.
It's of course obvious that suing Real will do nothing to thwart DVD ripping, as it takes little to no effort to find a replacement. RealDVD sought after legal consumers and made it obvious to anyone who read up on the product. The DVD could only be played through RealDVD, while other DVD rippers allow you to decode the CSS encryption and use it anywhere - yet the MPAA doesn't seem too interested in those.
A temporary restraining order has been issued against Real while the judge takes time to review all of the available documents. A decision will apparently be made on Tuesday as to whether the suspension will remain in place and for how long, a Real representative told NewTeeVee. Given the tenacity of the movie studios when it comes to copyright infringement, however, the MPAA isn't likely to let the restraining order be lifted without a fight.
Source: Ars Technica