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Hollywood attacks RealDVD in court

24 April 2009 23:37 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 3 comments

In September of last year, RealNetworks began selling a new product called RealDVD for $30. The product could copy retail DVD content onto one hard drive and up to five devices. However, only a few thousand sales or so were made before a federal Judge blocked the sale of the program at Hollywood's request. Now RealDVD is being tested in court, with lawyers for the Hollywood studios saying RealNetworks violated copyright law.

"In the end, this case will be about how RealNetworks tries to take money that is not theirs," argued Bart Williams for the movie companies. He also commented at one point that code being used by RealNetworks was sourced from Ukrainian hackers, which RealNetworks has denied exists in the product.

RealNetworks fought back however, with lawyer Len Cunningham arguing that the studios had their own products which provide for backups, called digitalcopy. "They have aggressively marketed it," he said. "The threat (to Hollywood) is for legitimate competition." U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel interjected: "They have the copyright."

Cunningham went on to argue that DVD owners have a fair use right to make backup copies of discs they have bought. Reginald Steer of the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD-CCA) rejected his point, saying the Digital Millennium Copyright Act had overtaken this argument.

Permalink to this article | Topic: Lawsuits & Legislation

RealNetworks appeals RealDVD ruling (9 October 2009)

Judge blocks sale of RealDVD (12 August 2009)

RealNetworks shows off DVD jukebox in court (14 May 2009)

MPAA promotes Cam copies for college professors (9 May 2009)

RealDVD is for 'legitimate users': CEO (29 April 2009)

RealDVD lawsuit finally gets court date (4 April 2009)

RealNetworks speaks out about RealDVD lawsuit (28 March 2009)

RealNetworks confident it will win 'RealDVD' lawsuit (10 January 2009)

Hollywood suit against RealDVD meant to stifle innovation, says EFF (11 October 2008)

Restraining order on RealDVD stays in place (8 October 2008)

RealDVD taken down temporarily (6 October 2008)

RealNetworks sues Hollywood over RealDVD (30 September 2008)

Legal DVD ripping now available from Real (8 September 2008)

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Blackjax (Member) 25 April 2009 1:01
*Quote:* Cunningham went on to argue that DVD owners have a fair use right to make backup copies of discs they have bought. Reginald Steer of the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD-CCA) rejected his point, saying the Digital Millennium Copyright Act had overtaken this argument. ... and there in lies the truth from the cranial rectum inverted bunch collectively known as the"mafiaa". You own it but you don't really own it because we get to tell how, when and where to use "your" media. I guess i get to tell them which part of my anatomy to kiss... pucker up buttercup! [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 25 April 2009 9:09
*Quote:* *Quote:* Cunningham went on to argue that DVD owners have a fair use right to make backup copies of discs they have bought. Reginald Steer of the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD-CCA) rejected his point, saying the Digital Millennium Copyright Act had overtaken this argument. ... and there in lies the truth from the cranial rectum inverted bunch collectively known as the"mafiaa". You own it but you don't really own it because we get to tell how, when and where to use "your" media. I guess i get to tell them which part of my anatomy to kiss... pucker up buttercup! Here's the kicker since the DMCA makes fair use illicit IE anything the consumer dose to circumvent protections, real DVD offers a safe and legal alternative to backing up your DVD. They should say that since realdvd dose not break CSS its legal under the DMCA everything else is not unless it dose not break CSS. Yes the DMCA gets into your bedroom by saying cracks and circumvention is illicit by itself irregardless of anything else its like saying because you are napping/texting in your parked vehicle being a bit drunk you'll get a ticket or worse because you decided not to driving..... the more rules society forces on itself the more freedoms and rights we lose because we need a rule for every little thing. [ + quote]
Hopium (Junior Member) 25 April 2009 17:00
"He also commented at one point that code being used by RealNetworks was sourced from Ukrainian hackers, which RealNetworks has denied exists in the product. " Bart H. Williams Los Angeles Office Email Bart.Williams@mto.com Phone (213) 683-9295 Fax (213) 683-5195 Practice Litigation Education Yale University (B.A., 1984) Yale Law School (J.D., 1987) ----------------------------------------- i dont see where he got his software engineers degree from but im pretty sure it came in his cocoa puffs box [ + quote]