At least until
a full trial
A federal judge has barred RealNetworks from flogging
software that allows consumers to copy DVDs to their computer hard drives,
pending a full trial.
Walt Disney, Sony and Universal Studios sued RealNetworks
in 2008, saying its RealDVD device was an illegal pirating tool. RealNetworks has said its product legally meets growing
consumer demand to convert their DVDs to digital form for convenient storage
and viewing. RealNetworks lawyers have argued that RealDVD is equipped with
piracy protections that limit a DVD owner to making a single copy. They also
said the device provides consumers with a legitimate way to back up copies of
movies legally purchased.
But US District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel backed the
movie studios in granting a preliminary injunction against RealDVD. She said
that the technology allowed consumers renting and buying DVDs to violate
copyright laws. Patel said RealNetworks failed to show that the RealDVD
products were going to be used by consumers for legitimate purposes. Funny, if
that was the case we thought arms sales in the US would be banned.
In October 2008, Patel temporarily barred sales of
RealDVD after the $29.99 product was on the market for a few days. At the
time, the judge said it appeared the software violated federal law against
digital piracy, and she ordered detailed court filings and the trial to better
understand how RealDVD works.
It will all be sorted out in a trail but it does not bode
well for Real.