RealNetworks on Tuesday failed to convince a district judge to lift a restraining order and allow the company to begin selling RealDVD again until she learns from experts, including the court’s, how the software functions.
That means RealDVD, which enables users to replicate a DVD and store it on their hard drive, is unlikely to reappear in the marketplace for at least another month and perhaps longer. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Patel indicated she wouldn’t be available for another hearing until after Nov. 17.
“I am extending the temporary restraining order because I’m not satisfied in the fact that this technology isn’t in violation,” Patel stated following the three-hour hearing. “There are serious questions about copyright violations. There are questions about violations of the (Digital Millennium Copyright Act), and violations of these companies’ agreement.”
If the law states no RealDVD, then the law is a ass.
But I’ve a feeling RealNetworks is going down in flames. It would be nice if Microsoft and Apple would throw their weight behind RealDVD, since they stand to gain tremendously from a victory for the software.
But those two software giants are so busy courting the motion picture industry that they don’t want to cause trouble.
Google might be more inclined to help on ideological grounds, but the company doesn’t have a media player of its own and so has little financial incentive to weigh in.
I’ve got a review coming in Friday’s paper of RealDVD.
Here’s hoping it isn’t also a eulogy.
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