DVD ripping software have been around for the longest of times, but this is a more mainstream attempt at it, and continues RealNetworks’ efforts to stir up the pot a bit: later this month it is launching a new software called RealDVD, which will allow Windows users to easily make a digital copy of an entire DVD, along with all the extras on it. It will cost $30, which will probably be a big barrier in adoption. The idea is to allow users to make backup copies for their personal use on laptops. I imagine Netflix, Blockbuster and indeed the movie studios may not be the happiest about this, but Real is touting that this is licensed DVD software that saves a secure copy of the DVD to user’s hard drive, with the CSS encryption intact, which means normal piracy/sharing of this video will not be easy.
Users will be able to view the ripped DVD on one computer and four others, as long as they download and pay for the software (less money: $20 for those four licenses) on those five others and have the same login. It does not work on Blu-Ray or HD DVD. It also believes the legal stranglehold of studios on personal user DVD copying is loosening. As NYT mentions in its story, in March 2007, the DVD Copy Control Association lost a lawsuit against Kaleidescape, a Silicon Valley start-up company that sells a $10,000 computer server that makes and stores digital copies of up to 500 films. Last year the company launched its online audio and video recording/download service as part of its new RealPlayer 11, which created some buzz but didn’t create much controversy from other media companies.
Source: Washington Post
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