A couple months ago, I wrote a blog over at Big Hollywood, regarding Hollywood's fight against RealDVD. Here's what I wrote:
"... Hollywood is also missing the boat by resisting emerging consumer demands regarding technology and intellectual property rights.
A prime example is a new software program called RealDVD, which allows consumers to take any DVD they own and save one copy to their computer or laptop hard-drive (imagine that, owning the DVD’s you own!)."
I thought I would give you a quick update on the courtroom drama that is unfolding.
This is from CNET News:
"Real is locked in a court battle with the major movie studios over RealDVD, a software that enables owners to copy DVDs and store them to a hard drive. The Motion Picture Association of America filed suit against Real last fall, accusing the company of violating copyright law and breach of contract. U.S. District Judge Marilyn Patel could rule on whether to remove a ban on the sale of RealDVD as early as Thursday.
Real on Wednesday filed with U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California a written statement from Peter Biddle, an Intel executive who had dealings with the movie industry over a decade ago. He disputes Hollywood's claims that the industry included in a license for its DVD-encryption technology a ban on copying DVDs while in a computer hard drive."
As you know, I'm of the belief that Hollywood is making a mistake by stifling this sort of technology that would allow consumers to get more enjoyment from their products, without costing them any revenue.
Regardless of how this turns out, this is an issue to keep an eye on as the outcome will likely have long-term implications regarding intellectual property and fair use rights -- and the future of Hollywood.
