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In Response To Restraining Order, Real Networks Pulls RealDVD
eldavojohn writes "RealNetworks' product that allows one to copy a DVD containing a movie has been pulled. You may recall us discussing RealDVD and its legal implications." According to the linked BBC report, "RealNetworks — the firm behind the software — has responded to restraining order issued by a US court stopped selling the RealDVD software [sic]. Six major movie studios jointly sued the company on 30 September — the day the software was launched."
and its people are increasingly becoming bitches to the big corporation's unfair and inhumane practices.
each day im becoming happier because i live in turkey. yes. i live in turkey. unbelievably, each passing day its seeming a better place than america, despite having a lot of shortcomings and issues.
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Perhaps they are doing it purely for establishing a legal precedent? Fight in court for the right of people to make backups of their DVDs with legal software.
Why are we thinking by default that they are stupid? I'm sure they knew exactly what they were getting into.
The cynic in me will wait until the case is over before guessing at Real's motives. If they get slapped with a tiny judgement, then I'll be satisfied that my distrust was well-placed, and Real colluded with them in order to get an ANTI-backup precedent set.
Personally, I think this whole think stinks of bullcrap.
Real, which is, admit it, an evil, worthless company that pumps out defective, DRM ladden software, suddenly decides to be "the good guy" by releasing what could be a very useful piece of software. What prompted this? The goodness of their heart? Or...
... a nice big fat check from the MPAA?
They'd love to have DVD copying not only made Extremely Illegal, but also want it to be Very Publicly Known so that no one gets any funny ideas about actually owning that content. So they encourage a very, very visible company to make a product that is used for "backing up" DVDs. They get that product's name and purposed splashed all over the place.
Then, just before it comes out, they swoop in and fucking DESTROY the company making it with a swift, unquestioning and decisive lawsuit that is right in the public's eye. A stern warning to every Dave DVDCopy out there: We will fuck you up!
Think about it. Real announces this product right before its release. That was rather quick, don't you think? Then, just in case it gets "out there" by accident, they fill it full of DRM so that it can't actually do any harm.
Then to be extra sure, they collude with the MPAA by filing a "preemptive lawsuit" over the product. How blatant! They might just as well be mugging to the audience, going "wow, that sure was a coincidence we got sued over THIS ILLEGAL PRODUCT here!"
How quickly do you think the Real lawyers will flub the case, leading to an early and precedent-setting decision about ANY and ALL "dirty illegal theft"? There'll be a hefty $X million settlement (after which, the MPAA will make a "technology investment" in Real for, shall we say, 2*$X million?
Bullshit, bullshit, bull McCallingIt Shit de la Poo!
UTF-8: There and Back Again
here's your perspective.
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