A federal court has ruled that RealNetworks’ RealDVD software, which rips DVDs and stores copies on a hard drive, violates copyright laws and the CSS (content scramble system) license agreement with the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA).
U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Patel has upheld a preliminary injunction that bars RealNetworks from manufacturing and selling the $30 software. The ruling may also prevent RealNetworks’ Facet DVD player from being sold.
The movie studios argued that RealDVD violates federal laws by encouraging consumers to “rent, rip and return” rather than buying DVDs. RealNetworks claimed consumers have a fundamental right to copy DVDs for safer and more convenient storage, adding that the RealDVD software contains piracy protections that limit consumers to just one copy.
“We are disappointed that a preliminary injunction has been placed on the sale of RealDVD,” RealNetworks writes in a statement.
Patel was the judge who shut down Napster in 2000 because of copyright violations. Here is her statement on RealDVD:
“RealDVD makes a permanent copy of copyrighted DVD content, and by doing so breaches its CSS License Agreement with the DVD Copy Control Association, the group that oversees the protection of DVDs for the major Hollywood studios and circumvents a technological measure that effectively controls access to or copying of the Studios’ copyrighted content on DVDs.
“Had Real’s products been manufactured differently, i.e., if what happened in Vegas really did stay in Vegas, this might have been a different case. But, it is what it is. Once the distributive nature of the copying process takes hold, like the spread of gossip after a weekend in Vegas, what’s done cannot be undone.”
RealNetworks is currently reviewing Patel’s decision and considering its next move.
Quote “But, it is what it is. Once the distributive nature of the copying process takes hold, like the spread of gossip after a weekend in Vegas, what’s done cannot be undone.” Quote.
It already has been done. There are sooo many programs out there where you can copy dvd’s. Real is one of many. Studios need to get a clue. As an consumer you are entitled to one back up copy of a dvd you own. Just like in the VHS days this rule applies.
Kalidescape just lost their appeal as well. Coincidence, I think not! I think there are going to be some big dollar lawsuits coming.
Darn it!!!
Perhaps they can tweak the software to randomly ask for the original disc on playback, and that would satisfy the rent, rip and return argument?
How do all of the other media server copanies get around this? Don’t they store content permanently as well?
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I agree Matt that a court might not honor a cease-and-desist request, but they still… 
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@Raiden
You are entirely wrong. Your are not entitled to make a backup. You have bought a license to view the media, not back it up and store it. Do I agree that this is the way it should be, no. But this is what it is. You can either legally buy DVD’s and watch them from the original disc everytime, or you break the law and make a copy to protect your content.