RealNetworks apologizes to consumers
By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 11/3/2008
NOV. 3 | RealNetworks is trying to rally customers to its side in its battle with the major studios over its RealDVD copying software.In an open letter posted on its site Monday, the company apologizes to the “thousands” of consumers who downloaded a 30-day trial of RealDVD who are now nearing their expiration date for using it but can’t buy the software because of a restraining order barring the company from selling it.
RealNetworks blamed the major studios' legal action and offered those trial users a free, fully licensed copy of the software if the company is allowed to sell it again.
“You shouldn’t be caught in the middle, and we apologize that you are,” the letter reads before laying out its case against the studios, arguing that RealDVD allows users to make a “'fair use' copy of your DVDs in the same way that you have been able to make digital copies of your music for more than a decade.”
“We’ll let our lawyers work through this process, but you should be clear about what’s at stake: your 'fair use' rights to make a copy of DVDs that you own. If Hollywood gets its way, they will control your rights and sell them back to you by requiring you to purchase the same DVD twice if you want a fair-use personal copy.”
RealDVD, a software program that allows consumers to copy their store-bought DVDs to their computer, went on sale Sept. 30. RealNetworks immediately sued the studios after the release to ensure that the software would be ruled legal because the company claims it keeps CSS encryption in place. The studios countersued, arguing the program breaks copyright. A judge placed a restraining order on RealNetworks barring it from selling the software until she hears from experts what the software does.
RealDVD told consumers that it expects a ruling on the restraining order early next year.
