Wednesday, October 01, 2008

MPAA to sue RealNetworks over DVD copying software

Via Findlaw: Hollywood aims to block RealNetworks' DVD software

"Hollywood's six major movie studios plan to sue RealNetworks Inc. to prevent it from distributing DVD copying software, The Associated Press has learned.

A person close to the matter, who requested anonymity because the suit had not yet been filed, says the studios will ask for a temporary restraining order in federal court."

From Hollywood Reporter:

"The digital entertainment service was sued Tuesday by the MPAA in Los Angeles federal court over its RealDVD software, which went on sale to the public on the same day.

The studios, including Fox, Sony, Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros. and Universal, claim the software circumvents the copyright protections on DVDs, allowing users to make multiple copies and distribute them to others. The MPAA claims such software is a violation of the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act and seeks a temporary restraining order to stop RealDVD from distributing the software.

Meanwhile, RealNetworks filed suit in federal court in Northern California, asking it to rule that Real is in full compliance with the DVD Copy Control Assn.'s license agreement.

When RealDVD was announced in early September, the studios appeared receptive to the idea, largely because of RealNetworks' claim that the software would leave Content Scramble System encryption intact and that it was targeting consumers with large DVD collections who were looking for a way to store and access purchased content without the hassle of "constantly removing and inserting new discs," the company said.

Three high-ranking home entertainment executives from the studios expressed interest, with one saying he "might consider" a licensing deal should the copy-protection turn out to be rock solid."

No comments: