RealNetworks and Movie Studios have cleared up a lawsuit over DVD copying. A permanent injunction has been passed by U. S. District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel, which restricts RealNetworks from selling RealDVD, which is the DVD-copying software. Hollywood has claimed in a lawsuit that it has violated copyright law.

Rhapsody music joint venture is going to be turned into a new corporation that will operate independent of Digital-entertainment Company RealNetworks Inc. and media giant Viacom Inc. Reconstructing their ownership and rights in the joint venture is planned by Viacom and RealNetworks, presently 51% owner of the Rhapsody venture and its operator.

As has been announced by the Seattle-based company, Chief Executive of RealNetworks Inc., Rob Glaser will be stepping down from his role 16 years after he had founded the firm.

Though a full trial on the copyright violation case against RealNetworks Inc has been pended, the US District Court Judge Marilyn Patel has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the sale of RealNetworks’ controversial DVD-copying technology, RealDVD.

That RealNetworks' last September-launched product RealDVD is in troubled waters is obvious - it is being tested in court, as lawyers arguing for the Hollywood studios alleging that RealNetworks violated copyright law!