Dispute over copy protection: Hollywood studios sue software manufacturer
A new software for copying DVDs is causing a legal dispute. Six Hollywood studios filed a lawsuit against multimedia specialist Real Networks on Tuesday.
A new software for copying DVDs is causing a legal dispute. Six Hollywood studios filed a lawsuit against multimedia specialist Real Networks on Tuesday. In proceedings before a district court in Los Angeles, they accuse the company of illegally circumventing copyright protection with its new Real DVD software and are demanding a suspension of sales.
The plaintiffs, including Walt Disney, Warner Bros, Fox, Universal City Studios, Viacom, Paramount and Sony, fear that users will be able to copy copy-protected DVDs unchecked with the new software. Real Networks has now filed a counterclaim with a court in San Francisco and is insisting on the legality of the software.
The multimedia manufacturer emphasizes that the new software only allows consumers to play their legally purchased DVDs without a DVD drive. Real DVD, which has been on the market in the USA since Tuesday, makes it possible to create a copy including copy protection on the PC. Real Networks said in a press release that it was disappointed that the film industry was following in the footsteps of the music industry.
"RealNetworks knows its product violates the law and undermines the hard-earned trust that has grown between America's filmmakers and the technology community," the Motion Picture Association of America countered in a statement.
The plaintiffs, including Walt Disney, Warner Bros, Fox, Universal City Studios, Viacom, Paramount and Sony, fear that users will be able to copy copy-protected DVDs unchecked with the new software. Real Networks has now filed a counterclaim with a court in San Francisco and is insisting on the legality of the software.
The multimedia manufacturer emphasizes that the new software only allows consumers to play their legally purchased DVDs without a DVD drive. Real DVD, which has been on the market in the USA since Tuesday, makes it possible to create a copy including copy protection on the PC. Real Networks said in a press release that it was disappointed that the film industry was following in the footsteps of the music industry.
"RealNetworks knows its product violates the law and undermines the hard-earned trust that has grown between America's filmmakers and the technology community," the Motion Picture Association of America countered in a statement.
