Judge Rules Against RealDVD

mattOzan writes "Judge Marilyn Hall Patel was unswayed by RealNetworks' defense of their product under the Fair Use Doctrine, as she declared RealDVD illegal and barred its distribution. As she said in her ruling, 'So while it may well be fair use for an individual consumer to store a backup copy of a personally owned DVD on that individual's computer, a federal law has nonetheless made it illegal to manufacture or traffic in a device or tool that permits a consumer to make such copies.' She also said RealNetworks was aware of the conflict between their agreement and their plans for the software: 'Real did not elect to return (or destroy, with appropriate certification) the CSS General Specifications after it received them, as Real had a right to do under the agreement... This behavior indicates that Real understood it to be bound by the CSS General Specifications as well as the other technical specifications received after execution of the CSS License Agreement.'"

Comments

decss

[MancunianMaskMan]

Real did not elect to return (or destroy, with appropriate certification) the CSS General Specifications

maybe they used DVD Jon's version?

I wouldn't say this delays the distro of RealDVD

[Centurix]

More of a buffering really.

Re:No, Clearly a Horrible Anti-Fair Use Ruling

[Anonymous Coward]

This comment is worded exactly as intended. Any application of fantabulous "Fixed that for you" jokes will be "modded up and hilarious".

Fixed that for you.

Re:No, Clearly a Horrible Anti-Fair Use Ruling

[element-o.p.]

Unless it is a DVD that you hate, in which case it will then last forever.