The RealNetworks conspiracy

[akm3]

OK, I know I'm venturing into lost-sanity conspiracy theories here, but it just seems SO OBVIOUS to me.

Does everyone remember going "Huh?! Why would they do that" when RealNetworks unveiled their new DVD copying software for $79 or something. At least I thought 'Why would I pay them for that, that adds crippling DRM, when I could do it free with Handbrake and other software'.

Well.

Now they are getting sued, and our ability to copy/rip/archive DVD's is threatened.

Here is where the conspiracy comes in: I believe the MPAA, not wanting to risk setting an unfavorable precedent in court got RealNetworks to create this software so they could sue them, have RealNetworks put up a weak straw-man case, and get definitive court precedent set upholding the DMCA and effectively making DVD ripping illegal - with the MPAA getting the opponent of their choosing in court instead of getting torn to shreds by real lawyers properly arguing for Fair Use.

Now, if reading the above doesn't show you that I know nothing about law, let me spell it out here: I know nothing. I'm just a guy who sees our Fair Use rights being taken away.

 

[Insulin Junkie]

A bit of a convoluted theory, I really don't think so. Real went down the crapper years ago, got greedy and all ... charging exorbitant amounts of money for a piece of software that you could get for free somewhere else seems right down their street =/

 

[Melrose]

I think it's too convoluted also. Real would never be able to recover from the bad publicity.

Real went down the drain ages ago anyway.. They're a dishonest company with a lousy product and service.