Shy Or Bold, MPAA Lawyers Attack Real Networks

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Shy Or Bold, MPAA Lawyers Attack Real Networks

Thu Oct 02, 2008 @ 11:45PM PST

By Eriq Gardner

Mpaa_logo_2 The MPAA is suing Real Networks because it claims the company's new RealDVD software violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by circumventing DRM designed to prevent the ripping of DVDs onto a PC hard drive. The lawsuit comes in reaction to Real Networks' own preemptive suit against the MPAA, asking a court to rule that its software "fully complies with the DVD Copy Control Association's license agreement."

The other day, Wired reported that lawyers for the MPAA conducted a teleconference with journalists to elaborate their position. Apparently, the lawyers asked that their names not be published. What's the reason they want to remain anonymous? Some are demanding to know the answer. Here's another question: Any reason for publications to grant the anonymity request?

The MPAA has also issued a press release in which Greg Goeckner, the MPAA general counsel, says that Real's product should be called "StealDVD."

At least one MPAA lawyer isn't so shy.

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The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. blog focuses on how the entertainment and media industries are impacted and influenced by the law. It is edited by Matthew Belloni with contributions from veteran legal reporter Eriq Gardner and others. Before joining The Hollywood Reporter, Belloni was a lawyer at an entertainment litigation firm in Los Angeles. He writes a column for THR devoted to entertainment law. Gardner is a New York-based writer and legal journalist. Send tips or comments to [email protected]

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