Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[RealNetworks to refund $2 million, 'guilt' box stays un-ticked]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/realnetworks-sued-must-refund-2-million/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/realnetworks-sued-must-refund-2-million/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/25/realnetworks-sued-must-refund-2-million/#comments realnetworks-sued-must-refund-2-million

Paid for subscriptions from RealNetworks you didn't ask for a few years ago? You may be eligible for a refund. Washington State's Attorney General sued the company over a free trial of its Rhapsody music service, which had a pre-ticked box for additional content that went unnoticed by many who signed up. When clients stopped the trial without also canceling the extra options, charges often accumulated in the hundreds of dollars before being seen. While admitting no wrongdoing, RealNetworks agreed to discontinue the boxes, comply with federal laws and give refunds to any customers who signed up that way between January 2007 and December 2009. If that might be you, expect a postcard from RealNetworks or check their website to apply for a refund. Hopefully you'll be less, um, ticked.

RealNetworks to refund $2 million, 'guilt' box stays un-ticked originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 May 2012 08:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>free trialfree trialsFreeTrialFreeTrialslawsuitrealnetwork free trialsRealnetworkFreeTrialsRealNetworksRealNetworks Increalnetworks rhapsodyRealnetworksIncRealnetworksRhapsodyrhapsodysettlementsettlementswashington stateWashingtonStateFri, 25 May 2012 08:43:00 EST<![CDATA[iPod owners notified of RealNetworks-related lawsuit's class action status, given chance to cash in (updated: not Real)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/ipod-owners-notified-of-realnetworks-lawsuit-class-action/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/ipod-owners-notified-of-realnetworks-lawsuit-class-action/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/10/ipod-owners-notified-of-realnetworks-lawsuit-class-action/#comments iPod nano thumbs up

Remember the 2005 lawsuit over Apple's effort to keep RealNetworks' Harmony DRM off of the iPod, calling the countermeasures an abuse that locked customers into Apple's FairPlay copy protection and the iTunes Store? You're forgiven if you don't -- the complaint was filed in 2005. Even with iTunes having gone primarily DRM-free over three years ago, though, owners of iPods bought between September 12th, 2006 and March 31st, 2009 are just now getting notices that they qualify for a slice of any damages if they register and Rhapsody's former owner the class action group wins in court. Of course, there's no guarantee that RealNetworks former Rhapsody users will win and get you music money to feed your iPod, iPod classic, iPod nano or iPod touch, but unless you're planning to sue Apple yourself, there's no penalty for a legitimate claim.

Update: RealNetworks has chipped in to let us know that it's "not involved in any way" with the lawsuit, which is actually an independent complaint centered around the Rhapsody users themselves. RealNetworks hasn't embroiled itself in a legal fight with Apple to date.

iPod owners notified of RealNetworks-related lawsuit's class action status, given chance to cash in (updated: not Real) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 May 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antitrustantitrust lawsuitAntitrustLawsuitAppleaudioclass actionclass action lawsuitClassActionClassActionLawsuitcopy protectionCopyProtectionDRMDRM-freefairplayFairPlay DRMFairplayDrmharmonyharmony drmHarmonyDrmiPodipod classicipod nanoipod touchIpodClassicIpodNanoIpodTouchiTunesitunes music storeitunes storeItunesMusicStoreItunesStorelawsuitlawsuitsmusicRealNetworksrhapsodyThu, 10 May 2012 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel bolsters video patent portfolio with purchase from RealNetworks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/intel-bolsters-video-patent-portfolio-with-purchase-from-realnet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/intel-bolsters-video-patent-portfolio-with-purchase-from-realnet/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/intel-bolsters-video-patent-portfolio-with-purchase-from-realnet/#comments Intel bolsters video patent portfolio with purchase from RealNetworks
Silicon juggernaut Intel has inked a multi-million dollar deal with RealNetworks, agreeing to purchase scores of video-related patents and annex an entire software team. Specifics of the accord have Intel shelling out $120 million in exchange for 190 patents, 170 patent applications and a video codec development squad. In addition, the two companies have signed a "memorandum of understanding," agreeing to collaborate on future development of the licensed software. RealNetworks states that the sale "will [not] have any material impact on its businesses" and it will retain "certain rights" to the sold technologies. Intel says the sale will improve its ability to "offer richer experiences and innovative solutions [...] across a wide spectrum of devices." The full PR is queued up for you after the break.

Continue reading Intel bolsters video patent portfolio with purchase from RealNetworks

Intel bolsters video patent portfolio with purchase from RealNetworks originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buycodeccodecsHelixIntelintellectual propertyIntellectualPropertyIPminipostpatentpatentspurchaserealRealNetworksRealPlayerSaaSvideovideo codecvideo codecsvideo patentsVideoCodecVideoCodecsVideoPatentsThu, 26 Jan 2012 15:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint Music Plus app gives users yet another mobile jam portal... if you're cool with RealNetworks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/sprint-music-plus-app-gives-users-yet-another-mobile-jam-portal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/sprint-music-plus-app-gives-users-yet-another-mobile-jam-portal/http://www.engadget.com/2011/04/12/sprint-music-plus-app-gives-users-yet-another-mobile-jam-portal/#comments Tired of waiting for Google Music? How tired? If you've been pushed to your wit's end, and you're willing to give RealNetworks one last chance to actually impress you, Sprint's got a new service for you to dip your toes into. Sprint Music Plus is a newfangled app that can be accessed via the carrier's website and on Android / BlackBerry handsets, serving as a "single, convenient destination for customers to discover, purchase and play individual and bundled offers of full track music, albums, ringtones and ringback tones." Naturally, everything in here is DRM-free, and aside from being a hub for transactions, it doubles as a media management tool where playlists can be created and new content can be recommended based on prior purchases. We're told that customers can receive a discount if angling for a bundle -- which includes a full track, ringtone and ringback tone -- with $0.69 to $1.29 (per tune, mind you) being thrown straight to your Sprint bill. Care to give it a spin? Android users can head just past the break for a QR code, while everyone else can give those source links a hit.

Continue reading Sprint Music Plus app gives users yet another mobile jam portal... if you're cool with RealNetworks

Sprint Music Plus app gives users yet another mobile jam portal... if you're cool with RealNetworks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidaudioblackberrydigital downloadsDigitalDownloadsdownloadsdrm-freegooglegoogle androidGoogleAndroidjavamusicrealrealnetworkssprintSprint Music PlusSprintMusicPlusTue, 12 Apr 2011 08:49:00 EST<![CDATA[RealNetworks to stop selling RealDVD, your copyrights are safe -- for now]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/realnetworks-to-stop-selling-realdvd-your-copyrights-are-safe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/realnetworks-to-stop-selling-realdvd-your-copyrights-are-safe/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/04/realnetworks-to-stop-selling-realdvd-your-copyrights-are-safe/#comments Remember when RealNetworks said it wasn't giving up on RealDVD, that it would fight the good fight and appeal the August ruling finding its DVD copying application wasn't quite legal. Well, a lot of things can change in five months and now it seems Real is caving in to the inevitable crush of the movie industry, setting the lawsuit filed by the MPAA for $4.5 million and instantly turning existing copies of RealDVD into collectors items. (Hope you kept those boxes in mint condition!) What's next for Real remains to be seen, as the company just spun off Rhapsody to be its own thing, but surely whatever it comes up with will not involve the copying of copyrighted things onto other things.

RealNetworks to stop selling RealDVD, your copyrights are safe -- for now originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightcopyright infringementcopyright lawsuitCopyrightInfringementCopyrightLawsuitlawsuitlitigationmotion picture association of americaMotionPictureAssociationOfAmericampaarealrealdvdrealnetworksrealnetworks realdvdRealnetworksRealdvdThu, 04 Mar 2010 07:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Sprint standardizing on RealNetworks' platform for music delivery]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/12/sprint-standardizing-on-realnetworks-platform-for-music-deliver/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/12/sprint-standardizing-on-realnetworks-platform-for-music-deliver/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/12/sprint-standardizing-on-realnetworks-platform-for-music-deliver/#commentsEven in the face of an endless torrent of free and subscription music services that are doing their best to effectively soak up the world's 3G bandwidth, carriers are showing no sign of giving up the fight for a piece of the audio download revenue pie; indeed, three of the four US nationals run their own branded (or co-branded) services. Sprint happens to be in that group, and they're looking to present a slightly more unified front by bringing tracks, ringtones, and ringback tones under a single roof that'll be managed by RealNetworks' Media Entertainment Platform. The result should be a "streamlined" user experience (read: it'll be more compelling to spend a dollar here, a dollar there as you browse through Sprint's mobile portal) when the new services launch later this year, but no specific date's been set as of yet.

Sprint standardizing on RealNetworks' platform for music delivery originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>media entertainment platformMediaEntertainmentPlatformmobilerealrealnetworkssprintFri, 12 Feb 2010 05:08:00 EST<![CDATA[RealNetworks to spin off Rhapsody, give up control]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/realnetworks-to-spin-off-rhapsody-give-up-control/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/realnetworks-to-spin-off-rhapsody-give-up-control/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/11/realnetworks-to-spin-off-rhapsody-give-up-control/#commentsSeems like times are tough in the streaming music game -- Warner is making noise about dropping free streaming rights to its catalog, and now RealNetworks and Viacom have announced plans to spin off the Rhapsody subscription service. The new company will obviously be known as Rhapsody, and both Real and Viacom will hold a sub-50 percent stake in the outfit and remain on the board of directors. Real's also contributing $18m in cash to the cause, while Viacom's committed to providing $33m in advertising -- we'll see if Rhapsody can make it on its own once that all runs out.

RealNetworks to spin off Rhapsody, give up control originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mtv networksmtvnMtvNetworksreal networksRealNetworksrhapsodyspin offspinoffsubscription servicesSubscriptionServicesviacomThu, 11 Feb 2010 16:38:00 EST<![CDATA[RealNetworks not giving up on RealDVD, plans to appeal court injunction]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/realnetworks-not-giving-up-on-realdvd-plans-to-appeal-court-inj/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/realnetworks-not-giving-up-on-realdvd-plans-to-appeal-court-inj/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/09/realnetworks-not-giving-up-on-realdvd-plans-to-appeal-court-inj/#commentsRealNetworks not giving up on RealDVD, plans to appeal court injunction RealNetworks found itself on the wrong end of a gavel back in August, receiving a court injunction to stop selling its RealDVD software -- curiously flying in the face of an earlier ruling in the favor of Kaleidescape. Perhaps that's why Real isn't done fighting yet. Or, perhaps it's just because it doesn't want to be put out of business. Either way, the company is set to file an appeal and take the show back to court again. Exactly what the basis of their appeal will be remains to be seen -- assuming there is one -- but here's to hoping it's a little more legally sound than their last defense. We're not quite ready to give up on Fair Use just yet ourselves.

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RealNetworks not giving up on RealDVD, plans to appeal court injunction originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealdvddvd copydvd copyingDvdCopyDvdCopyingfair useFairUseinjunctionrealrealdvdrealnetworksrealnetworks realdvdRealnetworksRealdvdFri, 09 Oct 2009 07:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether (update: video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/rhapsody-app-approved-by-apple-8-million-tracks-streaming-to-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/rhapsody-app-approved-by-apple-8-million-tracks-streaming-to-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/rhapsody-app-approved-by-apple-8-million-tracks-streaming-to-th/#comments We had a feeling this day was coming. After Spotify's subscription music app was approved, offline listening intact, there was every indication that Rhapsody was next for christening. Especially with the feds watching Apple's every move. The free download just went hot and requires a $15 per month Rhapsody To Go subscription -- you can try it for free for a week -- and streams 64kbps quality (ugh) music over WiFi or cellular data (only, no off-line access) from a catalog of about 8 million tracks offered by the MTV and RealNetwork tie-up. Now go 'n get it.

Update: Added video demo after the break.

[Via Komo News, thanks Bill Y.]

Read -- Rhapsody App [iTunes link]

Continue reading Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether (update: video!)

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Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleapprovalapprovedAppStoreiphone osiphoneositunesmobilemtvmusicrealnetworksrhapsodystreamingThu, 10 Sep 2009 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether (update: video!)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/rhapsody-app-approved-by-apple-8-million-tracks-streaming-to-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/rhapsody-app-approved-by-apple-8-million-tracks-streaming-to-th/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/rhapsody-app-approved-by-apple-8-million-tracks-streaming-to-th/#comments We had a feeling this day was coming. After Spotify's subscription music app was approved, offline listening intact, there was every indication that Rhapsody was next for christening. Especially with the feds watching Apple's every move. The free download just went hot and requires a $15 per month Rhapsody To Go subscription -- you can try it for free for a week -- and streams 64kbps quality (ugh) music over WiFi or cellular data (only, no off-line access) from a catalog of about 8 million tracks offered by the MTV and RealNetwork tie-up. Now go 'n get it.

Update: Added video demo after the break.

[Via Komo News, thanks Bill Y.]

Read -- Rhapsody App [iTunes link]

Continue reading Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether (update: video!)

Filed under:

Rhapsody App approved by Apple: 8 million tracks streaming to the ether (update: video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleapprovalapprovedAppStoreitunesmtvmusicrealnetworksrhapsodystreamingThu, 10 Sep 2009 01:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhapsody brings subscription music to the iPhone, pending Apple's approval]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/rhapsody-brings-subscription-music-to-the-iphone-pending-apple/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/rhapsody-brings-subscription-music-to-the-iphone-pending-apple/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/rhapsody-brings-subscription-music-to-the-iphone-pending-apple/#comments
If the maniacs at RealNetworks have their way, you'll soon be rockin' out to Rhapsody on your iPhone or iPod touch, streaming all those pop tunes you crave over WiFi, Edge, or 3G, courtesy of your $15 Rhapsody ToGo account -- pending approval from Apple, of course. Sure, we can't imagine the company allowing Pandora but dissing Rhapsody, but stranger things have happened. If this isn't enough to get subscription music fans spinning in their office chairs, the company is also working diligently on Rhapsody for other mobile platforms and carrier app stores, including Google Android. And there's more! Check out the app in all its glory -- on video, no less -- after the break.

[Via PC World]

Continue reading Rhapsody brings subscription music to the iPhone, pending Apple's approval

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Rhapsody brings subscription music to the iPhone, pending Apple's approval originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleAppStoreatandtattiphoneiphone osiphoneosipod touchIpodTouchmobilerealnetworksrhapsodystreamstreaming musicStreamingMusicsubscriptionsubscription musicSubscriptionMusicMon, 24 Aug 2009 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhapsody brings subscription music to the iPhone, pending Apple's approval]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/rhapsody-brings-subscription-music-to-the-iphone-pending-apple/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/rhapsody-brings-subscription-music-to-the-iphone-pending-apple/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/rhapsody-brings-subscription-music-to-the-iphone-pending-apple/#comments
If the maniacs at RealNetworks have their way, you'll soon be rockin' out to Rhapsody on your iPhone or iPod touch, streaming all those pop tunes you crave over WiFi, Edge, or 3G, courtesy of your $15 Rhapsody ToGo account -- pending approval from Apple, of course. Sure, we can't imagine the company allowing Pandora but dissing Rhapsody, but stranger things have happened. If this isn't enough to get subscription music fans spinning in their office chairs, the company is also working diligently on Rhapsody for other mobile platforms and carrier app stores, including Google Android. And there's more! Check out the app in all its glory -- on video, no less -- after the break.

[Via PC World]

Continue reading Rhapsody brings subscription music to the iPhone, pending Apple's approval

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Rhapsody brings subscription music to the iPhone, pending Apple's approval originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app storeappleAppStoreiphoneipod touchIpodTouchportable audioportableaudiorealnetworksrhapsodystreamstreaming musicStreamingMusicsubscriptionsubscription musicSubscriptionMusicMon, 24 Aug 2009 10:53:00 EST<![CDATA[CEPro breaks down Real and Kaleidescape cases, uncovers more questions]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/cepro-breaks-down-real-and-kaleidescape-cases-uncovers-more-que/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/cepro-breaks-down-real-and-kaleidescape-cases-uncovers-more-que/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/20/cepro-breaks-down-real-and-kaleidescape-cases-uncovers-more-que/#commentsDVD legal rulingIt's been a rough week for DVD copying services from Real and Kaleidescape, and public understanding of the whole DVD copying mess hasn't been spared. People like to watch DVDs and lawyers like to get paid, however, so we're willing to bet there's more to come. CEPro has put together a breakdown of the issues at hand, which not only makes for some good reading but also shows just how far from any real clarity we are. Whether it's legal to make bit-for-bit copies, but illegal to view them; legal to use copying tools, but illegal to produce them; or just plain mean to do something Hollywood doesn't want you to, consumers are going to push for media convenience. We're still hoping Blu-ray's Managed Copy gives us enough wiggle room on our HD digital handcuffs, but sadly, it seems like DVD fans can pick between taking up residence in legal limbo while the courts struggle to catch up with tech or just strip the CSS from discs and get on with their lives.

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CEPro breaks down Real and Kaleidescape cases, uncovers more questions originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceprocopyingcssdmcadvddvd ccaDvdCcahdkaleidescapeother formatsotherformatsrealreal dvdreal networksRealDvdRealNetworksrippingThu, 20 Aug 2009 23:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Court injunction puts sales of RealDVD on ice, hopes and dreams in purgatory]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/court-injunction-puts-sales-of-realdvd-on-ice-hopes-and-dreams/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/court-injunction-puts-sales-of-realdvd-on-ice-hopes-and-dreams/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/court-injunction-puts-sales-of-realdvd-on-ice-hopes-and-dreams/#comments
Something tells us Kaleidescape has a man (or woman, to be fair) on the inside, else United States District Court Judge Marilyn Patel is just downright trifilin'. In every visible way, RealNetworks' proposed RealDVD player was exactly what Kaleidescape was, but for people with annual salaries far less than $9,854,392,220. Regardless of our opinion, a preliminary injunction has just been passed down from The Almighty in the robe, which blocks the sale of the RealDVD software here in the US. The six major movie studies filed the suit last September, alleging that it "illegally violated their right to restrict the use of their movies in digital form." Evidently those that matter agree. A RealNetworks spokesperson took the time to vent their feelings on the whole ordeal, and since we know you're curious, we've pasted it below for your convenience.
We are disappointed that a preliminary injunction has been placed on the sale of RealDVD. We have just received the Judge's detailed ruling and are reviewing it. After we have done so fully, we'll determine our course of action and will have more to say at that time.
[Via Electronista]

Filed under: ,

Court injunction puts sales of RealDVD on ice, hopes and dreams in purgatory originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courtDMCAdrmdvddvd ripperdvd rippingDvdRipperDvdRippingfair useFairUsehdHollywoodillegalinjunctionlawsuitlegalmpaarealreal networksRealDVDRealNetworksrippingsalessuesuitWed, 12 Aug 2009 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Court injunction puts sales of RealDVD on ice, hopes and dreams in purgatory]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/court-injunction-puts-sales-of-realdvd-on-ice-hopes-and-dreams/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/court-injunction-puts-sales-of-realdvd-on-ice-hopes-and-dreams/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/12/court-injunction-puts-sales-of-realdvd-on-ice-hopes-and-dreams/#comments
Something tells us Kaleidescape has a man (or woman, to be fair) on the inside, else United States District Court Judge Marilyn Patel is just downright trifilin'. In every visible way, RealNetworks' proposed RealDVD player was exactly what Kaleidescape was, but for people with annual salaries far less than $9,854,392,220. Regardless of our opinion, a preliminary injunction has just been passed down from The Almighty in the robe, which blocks the sale of the RealDVD software here in the US. The six major movie studies filed the suit last September, alleging that it "illegally violated their right to restrict the use of their movies in digital form." Evidently those that matter agree. A RealNetworks spokesperson took the time to vent their feelings on the whole ordeal, and since we know you're curious, we've pasted it below for your convenience.
We are disappointed that a preliminary injunction has been placed on the sale of RealDVD. We have just received the Judge's detailed ruling and are reviewing it. After we have done so fully, we'll determine our course of action and will have more to say at that time.
[Via Electronista]

Filed under:

Court injunction puts sales of RealDVD on ice, hopes and dreams in purgatory originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>courtDMCAdrmdvddvd ripperdvd rippingDvdRipperDvdRippingfair useFairUseHollywoodillegalinjunctionlawsuitlegalmpaarealreal networksRealDVDRealNetworksrippingsalessuesuitWed, 12 Aug 2009 02:02:00 EST<![CDATA[RealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/realnetworks-steps-up-its-realdvd-legal-case-just-wants-your-ap/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/realnetworks-steps-up-its-realdvd-legal-case-just-wants-your-ap/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/realnetworks-steps-up-its-realdvd-legal-case-just-wants-your-ap/#commentsRealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval
It wasn't long ago that RealNetworks and its kludgy Player software were the bane of computer users everywhere. But, a few legal accusations later, Real is now the apple in the eye of every fair use advocate, fighting for the right for users to make legal copies of DVDs -- so long as you make them through its RealDVD software, of course. The company is now escalating its legal battle against Hollywood big wigs, suing the six major movie studios and the DVD Copy Control Association for anticompetitive activity, asking for monetary damages due to the sales it has lost since the industry asked for that initial injunction against RealDVD. We're not entirely sure who's going to come up on top of this one, but if Kaleidescape can survive the CCA, maybe Real can too.

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RealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccadvd ccadvd copydvd copy control associationDvdCcaDvdCopyDvdCopyControlAssociationfair useFairUsehdhollywoodrealrealdvdrealnetworksrealnetworks realdvdRealnetworksRealdvdThu, 14 May 2009 08:19:00 EST<![CDATA[RealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/realnetworks-steps-up-its-realdvd-legal-case-just-wants-your-ap/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/realnetworks-steps-up-its-realdvd-legal-case-just-wants-your-ap/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/14/realnetworks-steps-up-its-realdvd-legal-case-just-wants-your-ap/#commentsRealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval
It wasn't long ago that RealNetworks and its kludgy Player software were the bane of computer users everywhere. But, a few legal accusations later, Real is now the apple in the eye of every fair use advocate, fighting for the right for users to make legal copies of DVDs -- so long as you make them through its RealDVD software, of course. The company is now escalating its legal battle against Hollywood big wigs, suing the six major movie studios and the DVD Copy Control Association for anticompetitive activity, asking for monetary damages due to the sales it has lost since the industry asked for that initial injunction against RealDVD. We're not entirely sure who's going to come up on top of this one, but if Kaleidescape can survive the CCA, maybe Real can too.

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RealNetworks steps up its RealDVD legal case, just wants your approval originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 May 2009 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ccadvd ccadvd copydvd copy control associationDvdCcaDvdCopyDvdCopyControlAssociationfair useFairUsehollywoodrealrealdvdrealnetworksrealnetworks realdvdRealnetworksRealdvdThu, 14 May 2009 08:19:00 EST<![CDATA[RealDVD ripping software heads to court, fair use advocates on pins and needles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/realdvd-ripping-software-heads-to-court-fair-use-advocates-on-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/realdvd-ripping-software-heads-to-court-fair-use-advocates-on-p/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/27/realdvd-ripping-software-heads-to-court-fair-use-advocates-on-p/#comments
Let's face it -- quite a lot is resting on the outcome of this case. For months now, RealNetworks has been unable to legally sell its RealDVD movie ripping software after a court issued a temporary restraining order that remains valid until it's decided if the application violates the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act). Now, the software is finally having its day in court, and the outcome could shape the future of the DVD player (for better or worse). You see, Real has already assembled a prototype Facet device that hums along on Linux; essentially, this DVD playing machine would sell for around $300 and could store up to 70 movies internally. On the surface, this sounds entirely like a poor man's Kaleidescape, but only time will tell if The Man agrees. Cross your fingers folks, we get the feeling fair use advocates are going to need the luck.

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RealDVD ripping software heads to court, fair use advocates on pins and needles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let's face it -- quite a lot is resting on the outcome of this case. For months now, RealNetworks has been unable to legally sell its RealDVD movie ripping software after a court issued a temporary restraining order that remains valid until it's decided if the application violates the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act). Now, the software is finally having its day in court, and the outcome could shape the future of the DVD player (for better or worse). You see, Real has already assembled a prototype Facet device that hums along on Linux; essentially, this DVD playing machine would sell for around $300 and could store up to 70 movies internally. On the surface, this sounds entirely like a poor man's Kaleidescape, but only time will tell if The Man agrees. Cross your fingers folks, we get the feeling fair use advocates are going to need the luck.

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RealDVD ripping software heads to court, fair use advocates on pins and needles originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 05:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were wondering (seriously, it has been on our conscience at night) which carrier would be the first to go completely DRM-free in respect to its music catalog, and now Vodafone has stepped in to claim said throne. This week, the operator has inked deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music to bring tunes to handsets and PCs sans any nasty DRM, and for those who already downloaded DRM-laced files in the past, they'll be able to upgrade to DRM-free without a charge so long as they do it soon. And to think -- something like this would've been stopped cold at the drawing board by record label execs just a few years back. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

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Vodafone's music catalog goes DRM-free for mobiles and PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We were wondering (seriously, it has been on our conscience at night) which carrier would be the first to go completely DRM-free in respect to its music catalog, and now Vodafone has stepped in to claim said throne. This week, the operator has inked deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music to bring tunes to handsets and PCs sans any nasty DRM, and for those who already downloaded DRM-laced files in the past, they'll be able to upgrade to DRM-free without a charge so long as they do it soon. And to think -- something like this would've been stopped cold at the drawing board by record label execs just a few years back. Desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

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Vodafone's music catalog goes DRM-free for mobiles and PCs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It look like Hollywood's won the first round in court against RealNetworks' RealDVD DVD-ripping software -- Judge Maralyn Hall Patel (of Napster fame, remember her?) ruled yesterday that a temporary restraining order blocking sales of the software will stay in place indefinitely until she decides whether it violates the DMCA. The central issue is whether or not making a bit-for-bit copy of a DVD constitutes circumventing copy protection: the studios claim the encryption keys must be read off the disk under the terms of the license agreement, and RealNetworks obviously disagrees. There's a lot at play here, including the studios' argument that fair use doesn't serve as a defense to backing up DVDs, so we'll be tracking this one closely -- it's sadly clear to us that Hollywood's fight here is against consumers having flexibility with their media, since it lost the battle against actual piracy ages ago.

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Court bans sales of RealDVD indefinitely originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 03:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew Hollywood wouldn't let RealNetworks sell its RealDVD DVD-ripping-and-archiving software without a fight, and right on schedule, the six major studios have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent it from being sold. Of course, RealNetworks has been planning on hiding behind that Kaleidescape ruling all along, but straight CSS circumvention isn't really what's at the heart of the suit: according to the studio's request for a restraining order, consumers won't be able to contain themselves in the face of RealDVD's voodoo magic and will start ripping rental DVDs en masse -- seriously, the suit calls the incentive to do so "all but overwhelming." Here's a hint, guys: if you believe the temptation to do something is that strong, it probably means you can get people to pay to do it -- and you should probably be working out a business model that embraces consumers instead of funding new BMWs for your lawyers while actual piracy tears down the fragile house of cards your entire industry is built on. Or you know, whatever.

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Hollywood hates fair use, sues over RealDVD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We knew Hollywood wouldn't let RealNetworks sell its RealDVD DVD-ripping-and-archiving software without a fight, and right on schedule, six major studios have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent it from being sold. Of course, RealNetworks has been planning on hiding behind that Kaleidescape ruling all along, but straight CSS circumvention isn't really what's at the heart of the suit: according to the studios' request for a restraining order, consumers won't be able to contain themselves in the face of RealDVD's voodoo magic and will start ripping rental DVDs en masse -- seriously, the suit calls the incentive to do so "all but overwhelming." Here's a hint, guys: if you believe the temptation to do something is that strong, it probably means you can get people to pay to do it -- and you should probably be working out a business model that embraces consumers instead of funding new BMWs for your lawyers while actual piracy tears down the fragile house of cards your entire industry is built on. Or you know, whatever.

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Hollywood hates fair use, sues over RealDVD originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RealNetworks, the company you love to hate, is back with a new product sure to capture the attention of Hollywood and its MPAA thugs. For $30, RealDVD plans to do what DVD Jon enabled years ago -- namely, making digital copies of your DVDs. Unlike Jon's illegal DRM stripping software, RealNetworks' approach lays on additional DRM allowing you to make a single copy, only, playable on the machine doing the rip -- up to five additional Windows PCs can be authorized at a cost of $20 per.

Real thinks that the use of the additional DRM coupled with Kaleidescape's legal victory -- a ruling that seemingly authorizes users to copy DVDs for their own personal use -- will help it escape the wrath of the MPAA. Not that RealNetworks has ever been afraid of a fight as demonstrated by its 2004 scuffle with Apple when it began offering software that allowed iPods to play Real's DRM'd content. Good thing too because we're pretty sure that shutting down the planned start of RealDVD's sales at the end of this month is the number one topic around the bunny-juice dispensers at the MPAA offices this morning.

[Via cnet]

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RealDVD rips DVDs just like you do, only legally (maybe) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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RealNetworks, the company you love to hate, is back with a new product sure to capture the attention of Hollywood and its MPAA thugs. For $30, RealDVD plans to do what DVD Jon enabled years ago -- namely, making digital copies of your DVDs. Unlike Jon's illegal DRM stripping software, RealNetworks' approach lays on additional DRM allowing you to make a single copy, only, playable on the machine doing the rip -- up to five additional Windows PCs can be authorized at a cost of $20 per.

Real thinks that the use of the additional DRM coupled with Kaleidescape's legal victory -- a ruling that seemingly authorizes users to copy DVDs for their own personal use -- will help it escape the wrath of the MPAA. Not that RealNetworks has ever been afraid of a fight as demonstrated by its 2004 scuffle with Apple when it began offering software that allowed iPods to play Real's DRM'd content. Good thing too because we're pretty sure that shutting down the planned start of RealDVD's sales at the end of this month is the number one topic around the bunny-juice dispensers at the MPAA offices this morning.

[Via cnet]

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RealDVD rips DVDs just like you do, only legally (maybe) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yahoo! Music Unlimited (and its customers) is the latest victim of the digital media shakeout. However, unlike the shutdown of Sony's Connect service which left customers stranded with DRM-laden tracks, Yahoo has struck a deal to send its existing subscription customers to the PlaysForSure-friendly Rhapsody music service from RealNetworks. The shift will occur sometime in "the first half" of 2008 and leave Yahoo Music Unlimited's payment plans and music libraries in tact for customers "for a limited time." Eventually, Yahoo's legacy customers will be required to sign up at Rhapsody's relatively higher rates of $12.99 per month (Yahoo charged $8.99 per month or as little as $5.99 per month for a year paid in full). So, do you still think that the subscription model is a good thing? Just wait, the shake-out has only begun.

Update: To be clear, Yahoo Music will continue to offer streaming audio, music videos, web radio and other advertising-supported music offerings while integrating Rhapsody into its online portal. Only the subscription service is being shut down.

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Yahoo! Music Unlimited shuttered -- customers feel the Rhapsody originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionmergerportable audioportableaudiorealnetworksrhapsodyyahooyahoo musicyahoo music unlimitedYahooMusicYahooMusicUnlimitedMon, 04 Feb 2008 04:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhapsody users experiencing login issues?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/rhapsody-users-experiencing-login-issues/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/rhapsody-users-experiencing-login-issues/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/12/rhapsody-users-experiencing-login-issues/#commentsThough not what we'd deem "common," outages extending beyond a few hours have been known to happen to the services we love so dearly, and it seems that some Rhapsody users have become the latest to fall victim to an inexplicable lapse in service. Over at the Real forums, a number of customers have been unable to sign into their accounts for up to two days, and no amount of chicanery has solved the quandary. To make matters even more frightening, many are getting a message that their account simply is nowhere to be found, and customer service doesn't seem to be getting anyone very far. Also curious is the fact that new accounts (as in, ones created while current customers are unable to login) seem to be working just fine, but we here haven't personally experienced any of the login difficulties. What gives? Any of you out there pulling your hair out over this? Got a secret for getting logged in that you'd like to share?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: This in from Real: "Our engineer and support staff became aware of a login issue affecting a small number of users yesterday. They're hard at work to fix the problem for the folks being affected." No ETA for the fix though, and it definitely sounds like more than just a few users, but your mileage may vary.

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Rhapsody users experiencing login issues? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>errorissueissuesportable audioportableaudioproblemrealrealnetworksRhapsodyWed, 12 Dec 2007 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[RealNetworks lays off a hundred employees]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/11/realnetworks-lays-off-a-hundred-employees/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/11/realnetworks-lays-off-a-hundred-employees/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/11/realnetworks-lays-off-a-hundred-employees/#commentsAround a hundred employees at RealNetworks are dealing with the news that their job is no longer available, and about 35 of those positions were in Seattle, Washington while the others were in Asia / Europe. According to company spokesman Bill Hankes, the firm made cuts "across the board to reduce redundancies built up as a result of six acquisitions made over the past two years," and he also added that these were the "first layoffs the company has made since those purchases." As it stands, around 1,700 employees are left, and no further job cuts are "planned."

[Via PaidContent]

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RealNetworks lays off a hundred employees originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhapsody America (the new Real / MTV partnership) wasn't the only thing that Real had up its sleeve today. Hot on the heels of the Universal snubbing of iTunes, and consequent announcement that the company would begin selling music via other outlets, comes today's news that the Rhapsody / Universal Music partnership has officially launched, at least in a limited "test" form, with the aim of selling UMG's catalog of thousands of tracks -- sans DRM -- via the Real Rhapsody service, charging $.89 per song for subscribers and $.99 for non-subscribers. Currently, only a select group of artists are up for grabs, including 50 Cent, Amy Winehouse, The Pussycat Dolls, The Police and Johnny Cash, though the plan is to make Universal's entire catalog available in the future. This announcement makes what we all knew was coming now abundantly clear -- the gloves have come off.

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Universal and Rhapsody launch DRM-free partnership "test" originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 12:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appledownloadsdrmdrm freeDrmFreeitunesmusic downloadsMusicDownloadsportable audioportableaudiorealreal networksRealNetworksrhapsodyTue, 21 Aug 2007 12:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple and friends hit with C&D for "actively avoiding" use of DRM tech]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/apple-and-friends-hit-with-candd-for-actively-avoiding-use-of-dr/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/apple-and-friends-hit-with-candd-for-actively-avoiding-use-of-dr/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/11/apple-and-friends-hit-with-candd-for-actively-avoiding-use-of-dr/#commentsHere's a new one on us. Instead of suing companies for infringing on its patents, like all the cool kids are doing, Media Rights Technologies has sent cease and desist letters to Apple, Microsoft, RealNetworks and Adobe for "actively avoiding" the use of its technology. According to MRT, the DMCA's language on copyright protection circumvention -- defined as "to descramble a scrambled work, to decrypt an encrypted work, or otherwise to avoid, bypass, remove, deactivate or impair a technological measure, without the authority of the copyright owner." -- requires those companies to use its product, since its X1 SeCure Recording Control technology has been proven to plug the "digital hole," and therefore allows them to uphold the DMCA. "We've given these four companies 10 days to talk to us and work out a solution, or we will go into federal court and file action and seek an injunction to remove the infringing products from the marketplace," says CEO Hank Risan. RealNetworks spokesman Matt Graves calls the letters "a rather novel approach to business development," and lawyers are calling the effort "out there" and "a play for publicity." We call it a riot, and while it's not likely to go far -- not even the far-reaching and vaguely worded DMCA is likely to hold this one up for long -- we're at least grateful to MRT for mixing things up a bit in the boring old tech lawsuit game.

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Apple and friends hit with C&D for "actively avoiding" use of DRM tech originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2007 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rhapsody and TiVo team up for good times in the home theater originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewsportable audioportableaudiorealrealnetworksrhapsodyrhapsody dnaRhapsodyDnativoMon, 08 Jan 2007 21:27:00 EST<![CDATA[iriver and RealNetworks team up to launch two MP3 players with integrated Rhapsody]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/iriver-and-realnetworks-team-up-to-launch-two-rhapsody-enhanced/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/iriver-and-realnetworks-team-up-to-launch-two-rhapsody-enhanced/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/iriver-and-realnetworks-team-up-to-launch-two-rhapsody-enhanced/#commentsWe got the skinny from the RealNetworks folks on some of their plans for continued hardware integration in pursuit of the celestial jukebox holy grail. They're going to be partnering with iriver on a couple of new audio players that will both integrate Rhapsody software -- one an update to the clix and one a Wi-Fi enabled MP3 player allowing users to both download and stream music from the Rhapsody catalogue over the air. The Wi-Fi player (pictured above) is apparently not going to be the W10, as RealNetworks sources tell us the new player is yet unnamed; it's going to come with a 3-inch touch-sensitive QVGA display with a flash-based UI, include support for VoIP and roll out in 2GB and 4GB capacities. The clix 2 (pic after the break) is going to update the clix with an improved screen and slimmer design and launch in 2GB and 4GB capacities. Both of the players will offer FM tuners, in-line and voice recording, photo and video playback, and 25+ hours of battery life. No word yet on price, but these players are expected to roll out in the US in Q1.

Continue reading iriver and RealNetworks team up to launch two MP3 players with integrated Rhapsody

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iriver and RealNetworks team up to launch two MP3 players with integrated Rhapsody originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Jan 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESclixclix 2Clix2iriverMP3 playerMp3Playerportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideorealnetworksrhapsodywifiMon, 08 Jan 2007 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[SanDisk partnering with Real on Sansa Rhapsody line]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/18/sandisk-partnering-with-real-on-sansa-rhapsody-line/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/18/sandisk-partnering-with-real-on-sansa-rhapsody-line/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/18/sandisk-partnering-with-real-on-sansa-rhapsody-line/#commentsApple has certainly struck gold with its finely tuned iPod+iTunes system, and Microsoft is seemingly ditching that whole PlaysForSure effort in exchange for the upcoming Zune Marketplace, so RealNetworks has joined the bandwagon by narrowing its focus (and hopefully the scope of incompatibility issues) by teaming with SanDisk to produce the Sansa Rhapsody. While the company already nailed down a partnership with Slim Devices, it's now venturing into the saturated DAP market by co-engineering an e200 with specialized Rhapsody software -- dubbed Rhapsody DNA -- to ensure the device consistently plays nice with Real's services. SanDisk is looking to release 2, 4, and 6GB editions of the Rhapsody-friendly Sansas, as well as offering its expandable 8GB e280 model for those toting the heftiest of subscription playlists. Aside from the (supposedly) guaranteed compatibility, these special units will apparently come stocked with 32 hours of tunes from a plethora of record labels that goes MIA if not synced with a Rhapsody account within 30 days. While there's no hard deets on pricing nor availability, we don't envision SanDisk charging anything extra just for keeping it Real.

[Via GigaOM]

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SanDisk partnering with Real on Sansa Rhapsody line originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Sep 2006 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewspartnershipportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoRealRealNetworksRhapsodySanDiskSansaSansa RhapsodySansaRhapsodyMon, 18 Sep 2006 10:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Navio makes good on promise to "unlock iPod"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/23/navio-makes-good-on-promise-to-unlock-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/23/navio-makes-good-on-promise-to-unlock-ipod/http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/23/navio-makes-good-on-promise-to-unlock-ipod/#commentsIt looks like Navio Systems have made good on their promise to open up the iPod to non-iTMS content, at least according to a report by Business 2.0, which says that the company is planning to enable its customers to offer iPod-compatible, copy-protected videos by the end of June. Although the details of Navio's methodology are not entirely clear, it seems that their engineers have deconstructed Cupertino-neighbor Apple's FairPlay DRM in order to create a separate-but-equal copy protection scheme that content providers can use to offer their own encrypted products to iPod owners. You'll remember that RealNetworks employed a similar tactic with their Harmony technology, which allows songs purchased from the RealPlayer Music Store to play on iPods, and which Apple did their part -- albeit unsuccesfully -- to thwart by way of firmware updates. Will Navio's technology spark a similar firmware arms race? Only time will tell, but we can't really see Steve and friends just sitting back listening to Beatles tunes while other players start eating away at iTunes' market share.

[Via iLounge]

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Navio makes good on promise to "unlock iPod" originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 May 2006 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applebusiness 2.0Business2.0copy-protectiondapdrmencryptionfairplayfirmwareharmonyipodnavioportable audioportable videoPortableAudioPortableVideorealnetworkssteve jobsSteveJobsTue, 23 May 2006 12:30:00 EST