Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

RealNetworks Offers Consumers Another Layer of DVD DRM

RealNetworks Offers Consumers Another Layer of DVD DRM

Rob Glaser, RealNetworks CEO, hasn’t had a lot of winners lately so we bet the idea of helping you copy your Hollywood DVD sounded like a great way to strike it rich…again.

And to ensure you hear about his offer he chose to sue Hollywood before they sue him for his RealDVD copying, backup, archiving, ripping, whatever software.

Nice quiet way to deliver the message!

Sounds great. The $30 software lets you rip a DVD movie to your computer hard drive.

Background to the Offer
The difference between RealDVD and the 30-40 such products you can find on the Web is that:
- Real went and bought a DVD-CCA (DVD-Copy Control Assn) license
- Real proudly says they don’t hack the CSS (Content Scrambling System)
- Real in fact adds another layer (uniquely theirs) of DRM (digital rights management) security
- Real didn’t just introduce RealDVD, Rob paid to toot his horn about it at DEMOFall
- Rob knows that the only thing to prove real credibility is a good lawsuit. He sued ‘em!

RealNetworks used to be the go-to place back in the Web 1.0 days for content.

Today?

Rhapsody is way down the music subscription service food chain well behind Jobs’ iTunes money machine and struggling Napster.

Online movie distribution?

Who knew?

Way behind Apple, Netflix, Amazon and darn near everyone!

Glaser has helped a lot of lawyers put their kids through college and buy new exotic cars.

He took on his Seattle neighbor Microsoft and received a nice $760 million settlement.

He ticked off Jobs for his engineering work-around iTunes DRM (digital rights management) security solution.

Oh heck at least a half dozen others over the past 10 years.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow
Real isn’t the first with a “DVD” backup solution. Nor the first to brazenly tell the world it was available.

321 Software had X Copy a few years ago but the MPAA sued them out of business.

SlySoft loves to quietly promote their AnyDVD that handles both DVD and BD discs but they’re down in Aruba.

The islanders sorta blow off outside lawyers or lawsuits.

Kaliedescape was one of the first home servers that enabled you to store DVD content.

It was a great battle but the MPAA lost that one …they’re appealing. They don’t like the courts in Silicon Valley so they’re going to a better playground.

The idea of a home entertainment network – centrally store, play anywhere – is what home owners want.

Up until this year people had to either bring in a home networking specialist to do it (overlooking how the movies got on the hard drive) or be really good (and patient) techs to do it themselves.

But now there server solutions from firms such as Control14, Crestron, Fuse, Axonix, AMX, Escient, ReQuest that are “more or less” legal. A few pay the DVD-CCA license fees.

Most say they’re legal because they only backup (archive) your content once you have it off the disc (wink,wink,wink).

Glaser’s Approach
RealNetworks went to the DVD-CCA and signed their CSS player agreement.

Proving how security minded he is, Glaser says their RealDVD makes a bit by bit copy of the complete DVD (including the CSS encryption).

Sorta feels like the Star Trek transporter…disassembling your particles here and reassembling them there.

Glaser emphasizes they even add another layer of encryption so that once the content – including artwork, extras, the whole works – is on your internal or external storage device it’s there to stay!

Want copies on multiple PCs?

Buy more RealDVD licenses at $20 apiece (up to 5 systems).

They are so true to their DVD-CCA agreement they emphasize that RealDVD may only be used to copy DVDs you own (wink, wink, wink).

Glaser has said that RealDVD allows consumers to securely store, manage, play their DVDs on their computers. He says the software provides consumers with a great solution for the playback (as long as the player key is on the system) and management of their DVD collections and gives them another layer of security that is better than CSS.

Who voted for two locks ??

People we know who have tested RealDVD say it is like most ripping packages out there…very user unfriendly!

We wouldn’t know.

We’ve never ripped a DVD.

We’ve got a son.

Hollywood’s Script
Of course the MPAA (Motion Picture Assn of America) has a different view of RealNetworks safe-n-sure software.

They emphasize that RealNetworks has a player license. You know like the ones Corel and Cyberlink sell to manufacturers.

That’s all!

They note that the license stipulates that the disc has to be present in the player.

Third Hollywood’s lawyers say that RealDVD “circumvents” the encryption technology something that is prohibited by DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act).

Another really cool thing Congress felt was in our interest.

Not too sure but if you have a work around the DVD-CCA security to make a “more secure” copy and never touch their code you’re a really cool magician !!!!

Finally Hollywood’s lawyers are positive that RealDVD can (will) be used by folks who subscribe to NetFlix, Blockbuster or your local rent-rip-return video store.

This would obviously wipe out last year’s industry DVD sales of $16 billion and $7.5 billion in rentals .

Damn!!!!

Picture Perfect Landing

Glaser says he sued the Hollywood crowd because they threatened him.

Frankly, we would have called them names and run home. Heck of a lot cheaper!

Of course flying in silently instead of broadcasting his landing might not have been exactly what they had in mind…

RealNetworks says they’re taking this legal action to “protect consumers’ ability to exercise their fair-use rights for their purchased DVDs.”

Kinda makes you all warm and fuzzy doesn’t it?

Better position might have been the need for consumer “fair use.”

You know, buy a product and use it when you want…where you want…how you want.

That’s what people expect.

That’s what consumers deserve!

That’s something the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) and EFF (Electronic Freedom Foundation) would get behind.

With two layers of DRM that obviously isn’t what RealNetworks had in mind. They wanted their own version of a walled garden…you know like Steve’s.

As it is RealNetworks showed red ink last quarter and hasn’t had a winner for a long, long time.

Hollywood has deeper pockets, more lawyers, more friends in D.C.


Smooth Landing – Some of RealNetworks claims to fame for DVD copying are shaky at best. Adding another layer of security on top of CSS isn’t what Hollywood had in mind. Having any layers at all isn’t exactly what the consumers had in mind. Sure hope Glaser can guide RealDVD into a smooth landing.

Signing an agreement and then knowingly stepping outside the lines doesn’t seem right.

Another layer of DRM is moving in the wrong direction!





RealNetworks Offers Consumers Another Layer of DVD DRM - To learn more about this author, visit Andy Marken's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback

To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


Andy Marken
(Visit Andy's Website) G. A. "Andy" Marken President Marken Communications, Inc. Santa Clara, CA Andy has worked in front of and behind the TV camera and radio mike. Unlike most PR people he listens to and understands the consumer’s perspective on the actual use of products. He has written more than 100 articles in the business and trade press. During this time he has also addressed industry issues and technologies not as corporate wishlists but how they can be used by normal people. He has been a marketing and communications consultant for more than 30 years involved in the wild early days of the Internet/Web, heyday of the videogame industry and the maturing professional and consumer video industries. His experience includes years with Internet pioneer CERFnet, TCG and AT&T. Andy has worked in the software, Web 2.0, video and storage industry with Panasonic, Philips, Dazzle, Atari, NTI, ADS Tech, Pinnacle Systems, CyberLink, InterVideo, Ulead and Verbatim.

Andy Marken is a Platinum author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


Andy Marken's

Complete
List Of
Marketing
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get Andy Marken's Complete List of Marketing Articles For FREE!

More Andy Marken
ZEROIN ON THE ONE WHO SAYS YES AND NO
WebBased Support
Changing the Face of Personal Communications
Reearning the Trust of the Consumer
The Power of We
PyroMarketing
COMPANY PRODUCT PUBLICITY ISNT HARDALL IT TAKES IS FOCUS
Corporate Conversations
Takeover Activities Grow
Devices Arent Enough Changing the Face of Personal Communications
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Jeff Foster  
Staging Diva  
Joe Dager  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
Create A Mission Statement Icon Create A Mission Statement
Is your branding on the nose? Icon Is your branding on the nose?
Future Networking Icon Future Networking
Your Life Your Legacy Icon Your Life Your Legacy
Get Ready for The Recovery Icon Get Ready for The Recovery
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Top 50 SEO Posts of the Year
Top 50 SEO Posts - 2008
Top SEO Posts of the Year
 
Top 50 Social Media Blogs
Top 50 Social Media Blogs
Top 50 Social Media Blogs
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
ssata Demb Segou, Mali,
ssata Demb
Segou, Mali
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Adam and Matthew Toren , $200k to $3.4 Mil in 3 Years
Adam and Matthew Toren
$200k to $3.4 Mil in 3 Years
Razor Suleman, $143k to $5.4 Mil in 5 years
Razor Suleman
$143k to $5.4 Mil in 5 years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Jennifer Lopez, J.Lo
Rachael Ray, Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray
Rachael Ray
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Tom Peters, In Search Of Excellence
Tom Peters
In Search Of Excellence
Zig Ziglar, See You At The Top
Zig Ziglar
See You At The Top
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     Networking
By Gal Baras
     Power to the People in the Business
By Gal Baras
     Emotional Intelligence in Business
By Gal Baras

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information