Andre Yoskowitz
9 Oct 2009 16:55
RealNetworks has appealed the recent court ruling that blocked it from selling its RealDVD copying software.
The company never got to sell one unit of the software before they were taken to court by the media industry, with full backing by the Hollywood studios. Real was served with an injunction in August, banning sales of the software and of an upcoming set-top that incorporates the technology.
U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled at the time that RealDVD circumvents the CSS copyright protection of the discs, thus violating the DMCA.
At the same time, Patel rejected the "Fair Use" argument the company was making, despite Real's claim that they were simply giving customers the chance to exercise their right to make backup copies of movies they own.
The appeal trial is set to start November 9th and should garner big media attention.