It Doesn’t Pay To Be Big
I mentioned ReadDVD last month. In short, RealDVD is software that allows someone to copy a DVD disk to their computer’s hard drive. The existing copy protection is copied intact while Real’s own DRM is also added, So, there’s no removal of the DRM and in fact another layer is added.
I didn’t take long for the lawsuits to start flying. Real preemptively sued the Hollywood studios asking for a declaratory judgment that their software was legal. Then the Hollywood sued Real.
The Studios managed to get an injunction against the sale of RealDVD which remains in effect as of today. This doesn’t make a hell of a lot of sense to me as there’s plenty of software that does the same thing. Most of it is a lot worse (from the MPAA’s point of view) in that it removes the css copy protection. Add to this that Kaleidescape has won a lawsuit allowing them to copy DVDs with their software.
There are those who feel the lawsuit has nothing to do with piracy. I tend to fall into this group because I don’t see where RealDVD contributes to piracy. In fact, it may prevent piracy if it makes it easier for people to view the DVDs they’re buying. It certainly doesn’t make sense that someone would use this to rip a DVD as a way to bit torrent it. There are easier ways to do that.
The only thing I’ve heard that makes any sense is they are afraid people will rent DVDs and rip them. But even that makes little sense. DVDs are big and would require a lot of disk space if your renting to build a library. People doing this would probably do a little research and find a better method,
The reason for the lawsuit is probably summed up best in a Computer Buyer story that quotes the EFF’s senior staff attorney Fred von Lohmann:
DRM systems like the Content Scramble System (CSS) used on DVDs are not principally about preventing piracy. Rather, DRM is the legal ‘hook’ that forces technology companies to enter into licence agreements before they build products that can play movies (Hollywood lawyers candidly admit this “hook IP” strategy). Those licence agreements, in turn, define what the devices can and can’t do, thereby protecting Hollywood business models from disruptive innovation.
It’s all about control and Real was a big enough target that they had to get swatted down. That hasn’t stopped others from selling software that will do the same thing as RealDVD.