Judge Patel Gets Real

On August 11, 2009, Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled against RealNetworks, Inc. and RealNetWorks Home Entertainment, Inc. (“RealNetworks”) granting DVD Copy Control Association, Inc. (“DVD CCA”) and several motion picture studios a preliminary injunction that prevents RealNetworks from selling or licensing its RealDVD software. See RealNetworks, Inc. et al. v. DVD CCA et al., Case No. C 08-04548 MHP (N.D. Ca. 2008). Click here to read the 58 page Order and Memorandum. The court found that RealNetworks’ DVD copy software, which decrypts copy protection, violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and RealNetworks’ contract with the DVD CCA.