Stick a fork in it: Studios win RealDVD injunction

RealdvdAlmost a year ago, RealNetworks launched RealDVD, an application that lets users rip their DVDs to a hard drive, so they can keep their entire library together and watch their DVDs on a whim, instead of spreading their collection across multiple shelves and flipping between discs every time they wanted to see something new. It was functionally similar to Kaleidescape, only instead of an all-in-one hardware system that cost several thousand dollars, it was a $30 software program anyone could install.

Movie studios began filing lawsuits within a week of release. Since then, its fate has looked darker and darker. The most recent legal news makes any chance of RealDVD hitting shelves seem even more unlikely. The U.S. District Court has issued an injunction preventing sales of the software. The program's sale had been banned since last year due to a temporary restraining order, and this injunction only adds to RealNetworks' problems with the product. It looks even more unlikely that RealDVD will ever be made available to consumers.

According to the LA Times, RealNetworks has issued the following statement:

"We are disappointed that a preliminary injunction has been placed on the sale of RealDVD. We have just received the Judge's detailed ruling and are reviewing it. After we have done so fully, we'll determine our course of action and will have more to say at that time."

Will Greenwald

[Source: EngadgetHD]

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