RealNetworks' day in court ends in loss

Jake Widman
Wednesday, 12 August 2009 23:59

IT Industry - Development

In her conclusion, Judge Patel granted the studios' request for a preliminary injunction against Real, "whether termed Vegas [Real's internal codename for the product], Facet [a possible set-top box implementing the technology] or another internal name."

Possibly a little giddy after the long trial, the judge wrote, "Had Real’s products been manufactured differently, i.e., if what happened in Vegas really did stay in Vegas, this might have been a different case. But, it is what it is. Once the distributive nature of the copying process takes hold, like the spread of gossip after a weekend in Vegas, what’s done cannot be undone."

The MPAA was understandably happy with the judge's decision.

They released a statement saying, “We are very pleased with the court’s decision. This is a victory for the creators and producers of motion pictures and television shows and for the rule of law in our digital economy."

For its part, RealNetworks expressed disappointment but did not rule out further action.

Their statement read, "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."

Real could appeal this decision, or the case could move on to the request for a permanent injunction.

And, of course, Real's countersuit alleging antitrust violations on the part of the MPAA is still unresolved.