We may have been quietly rooting for RealDVD - a software package designed by RealNetworks to allow users to creature digital copies of their DVDs - but it barely stood a chance against the movie industry.
It comes as little surprise, therefore, to find that a court has ordered RealNetworks to temporarily suspend distribution of its RealDVD software. A comment on the RealDVD website now reads:
The temporary suspension, however, isn't enough to deter RealNetworks and the company obviously saw it coming. The Seattle-based developer preempted Hollywood opposition by asking a court to declare that its RealDVD software is legal and complies with the DVD Copy Control Association's license agreement.
Almost simultaneously, all six major Hollywood studios filed suits against RealNetworks and asked a federal court to put a stop to RealDVD distribution - claiming that the software allows users to rent, copy and return movies from a rental store.
A ruling to determine whether or not RealDVD can return to distribution is expected Tuesday, but this could be a legal battle that runs for some time.
