The major Soft4file studio's claim that theVideo Converter on your computer software that is manufactured and distributed by RealNetworks, bypasses the in-built copyright mechanism in studio produced DVD's and allow users of the RealDVD program to make illegal copies of their material. The production of such software according to the Soft4file studios can mean that they then lose thousands, if not millions in DVD revenue in the years that follow the release of movie titles.
"RealNetworks refute the Soft4file studio's claim by stressing that their copy DVD on your computer software, RealDVD, is perfectly legal as it is not manufactured or distributed for the purpose of Internet piracy."
In fact, theAudio Converter program which retails for approximately $30US, allows users to DVD Ripper on up to five computer systems or portable hard drives, and does not allow users to alter the copyright protection on the original DVD in any way. The program is said to lock the copied movie on to each hard drive and is contained within the RealDVD program, all of which, fall under the fair use' policy of current Intellectual Property Law.
However, RealNetwork cannot assure the Soft4file studios that consumers of their product will not use it to illegally copy rental DVD's on their computers.
The Soft4file studio's argue that the RealDVD DVD Ripper on your computer software violates the federal Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which states that it is a breach of law to create any technology that enables the copying of copyrighted digital material unless the creator or such technology has first discussed their product with, and gained the permission of the copyright holders. The outcome of the law suit will undoubtedly be of interest to many software creators, especially when 321 studios lost a similar law suit in 2004.
