U.S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel has stopped RealNetworks from offering software that easily lets consumers copy their DVDs, as both sides officially agree to move on.
The legal case between Real and Hollywood first started in late 2008, and has taken until March 2010 to finally finish up. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) strongly objected the release of Real's RealDVD, a piece of software that made it easier for consumers to copy DVDs to their PCs. Judge Patel issued an injunction that stopped the software from being released on time -- and then things only got worse for Real.
RealDVD shipped with DRM security implemented -- a failed attempt by Real to avoid legal ramifications -- but the MPAA was unimpressed with Real's anti-piracy efforts.
A lawsuit by RealNetworks was originally filed against the MPAA last May, an antitrust claim against Hollywood movie studios. Real went as far as comparing Hollywood to a "price-fixing cartel" that prevents software makers from creating DVD duplication software.
"We will continue to vigorously pursue companies that attempt to bring these illegal circumvention products and devices to market," said Daniel Mandil, MPAA Chief Content Protection Officer, in a statement.
Despite the loss, RealNetworks will move on to developing new software now that the company can finally leave behind this messy legal entanglement.
"We are pleased to put this litigation behind us," said Bob Kimball, Real CEO, in a statement. "I hope that in the future we can find mutually beneficial ways to use Real technology to bring Hollywood's great work to consumers."
I mentioned in the article last May that I though Real would have a difficult time proving "fair use" when explaining its software - and the courts didn't buy their claims. Real didn't specify whether they plan to release a similar version of RealDVD, with modifications, but it may not be worth the legal risk.
