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RealDVD is for 'legitimate users': CEO

29 April 2009 20:22 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 4 comments

RealNetworks Chief Executive Officer, Rob Glaser, told a court on Tuesday that Real's recently released DVD copying software is for legitimate users and not intended to be used for piracy. "We were both designing our product and marketing our product for legitimate use," he said. "If they didn't want to be legitimate users, there were so many other alternatives they could go to and our product would be an inferior product."

The software had a short life on the market so far, after being pulled days after release by court order in September 2008. This puts the tech industry and Hollywood into a battle of control over digital media again. The studios argue that RealDVD can be used to make copies of rented DVDs as well as personally owned DVDs.

Glaser argued that scofflaws are unlikely to use RealDVD, which costs US$30 and comes with copy control features to make it difficult to disseminate any copies of a DVD. He said that if a user wanted to make a copy of a movie, all they would have to do is "Google DVD Ripper". The studios had their expert witness Robert Schumann on the stand explaining how RealNetworks had deliberately circumvented copy protection mechanisms, particularly ARccOS.

Prosecutors showed email correspondence between RealNetwork engineers and developers with a Kiev, Ukraine, software development company called Rocket Division Software, discussing ways to circumvent the technology. However, Glaser argued that ARccOS is not an "effective" copy protection mechanism, as DVDs can be copied with other software, and gave Kaleidescape as an example.

"Kaleidescape is kind of like a Porsche. It's a beautiful product, but it's very, very expensive," Glaser said. "We thought we could use modern technology to deliver something that's more like a Chevy"

Permalink to this article

RealNetworks appeals RealDVD ruling (9 October 2009)

Appeals court overturns original Kaleidescape decision, another blow to legal DVD copying (13 August 2009)

Judge blocks sale of RealDVD (12 August 2009)

RealNetworks accuses MPAA of anti-competitive practices (18 May 2009)

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

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

Canada added to piracy Priority Watch List (30 April 2009)

Hollywood attacks RealDVD in court (24 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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Discuss this article!
H0bbes (Junior Member) 29 April 2009 22:13
IMHO Real's idea sucks. What if Joe Average User's PC crashes? Duh... I know I'd be ticked if i lost that much work ripping my DVD collection. I prefer XviD or x264 over DVD anyway so nor an issue for me, but Jove Average doesn't use encoders. Real needs to stick to their Rhapsody mp3 scheme- at least they had half a brain to join the DRM free music bandwagon. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 29 April 2009 22:42
Any protection circumvention tool/program is for legit users, just because its abused dose not make it invalid. The problem is now adays they want to make every other thing illicit in order to poorly protect their antiquated markets, if they can not sell me what I want at a price I like and not rape me in the process I want nothing to do with their side of the purchase equitation. Just wait until more people refuse to mindlessly consume what are they going to do then fine people for not buying stuff? .... and god forbid if you import it..... They claim copies are at the core of this issue yet they claim they should have absolute right to who can make copies and thierin lies the trouble you can not limit people in what they can copy you can limit them in what they distribute. Copying is like sex in public and sex in your bedroom, they should never have the right to tell you what to do behind close doors and yet the DMCA dose just that. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 29 April 2009 23:01
zorb43 (Newbie) 2 May 2009 16:48
*Originally posted by ZippyDSM:* Any protection circumvention tool/program is for legit users, just because its abused dose not make it invalid. The problem is now adays they want to make every other thing illicit in order to poorly protect their antiquated markets, if they can not sell me what I want at a price I like and not rape me in the process I want nothing to do with their side of the purchase equitation. Just wait until more people refuse to mindlessly consume what are they going to do then fine people for not buying stuff? .... and god forbid if you import it..... They claim copies are at the core of this issue yet they claim they should have absolute right to who can make copies and thierin lies the trouble you can not limit people in what they can copy you can limit them in what they distribute. Copying is like sex in public and sex in your bedroom, they should never have the right to tell you what to do behind close doors and yet the DMCA dose just that. Excellent observation ! This point should be published everwhere on the net so all the " SHEEP " can get vocal enough to motivate the media and our money hungrey politicos to switch sides on this most contentious of issues ... This comment is right on the money as Zippy always seems to be. Problem is that most of the Zombies out there that are not even aware that this forem exists will be lead like lemmings over the side of the cliff as per usuall ... [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 2 May 2009 16:54
*Quote:* *Originally posted by ZippyDSM:* Any protection circumvention tool/program is for legit users, just because its abused dose not make it invalid. The problem is now adays they want to make every other thing illicit in order to poorly protect their antiquated markets, if they can not sell me what I want at a price I like and not rape me in the process I want nothing to do with their side of the purchase equitation. Just wait until more people refuse to mindlessly consume what are they going to do then fine people for not buying stuff? .... and god forbid if you import it..... They claim copies are at the core of this issue yet they claim they should have absolute right to who can make copies and thierin lies the trouble you can not limit people in what they can copy you can limit them in what they distribute. Copying is like sex in public and sex in your bedroom, they should never have the right to tell you what to do behind close doors and yet the DMCA dose just that. Excellent observation ! This point should be published everwhere on the net so all the " SHEEP " can get vocal enough to motivate the media and our money hungrey politicos to switch sides on this most contentious of issues ... This comment is right on the money as Zippy always seems to be. Problem is that most of the Zombies out there that are not even aware that this forem exists will be lead like lemmings over the side of the cliff as per usuall ... I''m only right on the money when I've had enough to drink and even then I miss most of the time :P [ + quote]