The legal battle continues on between RealNetworks and the MPAA over RealDVD. A federal judge granted the MPAA motion to require RealNetworks to temporarily suspend sales of RealDVD. It looks like an uphill battle for RealNetworks and those who wish to make a copy of their DVDs. Legal action taken by the MPAA forces RealDVD to suspend sales temporarily. RealDVD is designed to allow users to make a legal copy of their DVDs. But the Motion Picture Association of America believes it is a copyright violation.

RealDVD Sales Temporarily Suspended

By Ben Thompson
Oct 6, 2008 15:57 PM GMT
The legal battle continues on between RealNetworks and the MPAA over RealDVD. A federal judge granted the MPAA motion to require RealNetworks to temporarily suspend sales of RealDVD. It looks like an uphill battle for RealNetworks and those who wish to make a copy of their DVDs.

Legal action taken by the MPAA forces RealDVD to suspend sales temporarily. RealDVD is designed to allow users to make a legal copy of their DVDs. But the Motion Picture Association of America believes it is a copyright violation.

RealDVD is software that allows users to make a legal copy of their DVDs leaving their DVD behind and play movies on their computers. The goal according to RealNetworks is to allow users to protect their DVDs and take their movies with them in a legal manner.

The software transfers the DRM of the DVD to the copy and does not allow the sharing of movies. But is designed to conserve battery life by taking a digital copy of the DVD with the user on their laptop. It includes a player that allows for viewing those movies along with other features.

But the MPAA has taken exception to the software saying that making copies of the movie onto users' computers is a copyright violation. And a federal judge seemed to agree, at least on a temporary basis, ordering a halt to the sales of the software.

On the RealDVD site, the notice reads "Due to recent legal action taken by the Hollywood movie studios against us, RealDVD is temporarily unavailable. Rest assured, we will continue to work diligently to provide you with software that allows you to make a legal copy of your DVDs for your own use."

It is uncertain when sales may commence but the case has been transferred to the Northern District of California in San Fransisco.

Filed Under:   Legal News   Technology News
The legal battle continues on between RealNetworks and the MPAA over RealDVD. A federal judge granted the MPAA motion to require RealNetworks to temporarily suspend sales of RealDVD. It looks like an uphill battle for RealNetworks and those who wish to make a copy of their DVDs.