RealNetworks vs. MPAA Battle Over RealDVD Lands in Federal Courts

SAN FRANCISCO — RealNetworks and the Motion Picture Association of America each filed lawsuits in federal courts Monday over RealNetworks' new software, RealDVD.

With the lawsuits, the Seattle-based company and the association representing major movie studios are looking for the courts to decide the controversy over copyright and fair-use rights.

RealDVD was released to consumers on Tuesday at www.RealDVD.com. The software allows users to store, manage and play their DVDs on their computers.

The MPAA's case, filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, argues that RealDVD violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and therefore, it should not be sold.

“The RealDVD software illegally circumvents this copyright protection system,” Greg Goeckner, executive vice president and general counsel for the Motion Picture Association of America said in a statement.

On the other hand, RealNetworks' suit, filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, names DVD Copy Control Association and major movie studios, which comprise its membership, as defendants.

The action would allow DVD buyers to “exercise their fair-use rights” on the discs, RealNetworks claims in a statement.

In laying out MPAA's case, Goeckner presented a scenario in which RealDVD would be used to pirate DVDs:

“Among other things, the RealDVD software enables users to engage in an illegal practice known as ‘rent, rip and return,’ whereby a person rents a DVD from a legitimate business like Blockbuster or Netflix, uses the RealDVD software to make multiple permanent illegal copies of the movie, and returns the DVD, only to rent another popular title and make permanent copies of it, repeating the cycle of theft over and over again without ever making a purchase.”

In making the argument before the federal court, RealNetworks cites a precedent set in a similar lawsuit in Santa Clara Superior Court last year. In that case — DVD CCA Inc. vs. Kaleidescape Inc. — the trial judge allowed the distribution of a product similar to RealDVD.

According to Christopher Levy, a consultant and CEO of BuyDRM.com,, the precedent set in the Kaleidescape case is that the software doesn't break any laws.

RealDVD, according to its makers, offers even more protection.

“There’s not really a product similar to [RealDVD],” Levy told XBIZ. “Real’s product preserves encryption and it preserves the product. That’s really what the big issue is about.”

RealDVD does not enable users to distribute copies of their DVDs, according to the RealNetworks statement. The software maintains the Content Scrambling System (CSS) encryption intact and adds another layer of digital rights management encryption that locks the DVD on the user’s computer.

“I think [the RealNetworks lawsuit] possibly could be the watershed moment,” Levy told XBIZ. “I think the precedent now is that what they’re doing is legitimate.”

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

Anissa Kate, Jordan Starr Top AEBN for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top-selling stars for the second quarter of 2025, with Anissa Kate landing atop the leaderboard for straight theaters and Jordan Starr heading up the gay rankings.

Misty Addams Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Misty Addams stars with husband Island Boy Brandon and 2024 XMA Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

AEBN Reveals Eva Maxim as Top Trans Star for Q2 of 2025

AEBN has published its top trans stars list for the second quarter of 2025, with Eva Maxim landing atop the leaderboard.

Show More