Good thing I already got a copy of it.

Shh, Jason!  You don’t want the goons from the DVD CCA showing up on your doorstep!

I assume that this could have impact on devices in our world that use similar methodologies?

I am thinking primarily of the Escient Vision server, which (as I understand it) works in a similar way to RealDVD.

There is, in my opinion, a great risk in specifying a product that *may* have to change in the near future (and go back to it’s original method of getting data onto the system (i.e. nothing to do with Escient - rip the disc on a PC with third-party software and then move the data onto the server)).

What are people’s thoughts on products using similar methodologies?  Is now a good time to be specifying them or not?

What alternatives are there - K-servers obviously.  Do people think the ReQuest looks reasonably litigation-proof with it’s ‘archiving’ methodology and verification of the physical media etc.?

Interested in people’s thought on the risks at the moment.

MArcus, there have been no REAL determinations about the legality of DVD ripping. In the next couple of days I’ll post a compendium of “where we are.”

In the meantime, please see the linked stories at the bottom of this one, especially:

Can You Be Sued for Helping Clients Rip DVDs?

zero risk using/selling these products. the waters are so murky now with kscape winning, any integrator brought before a court would have reason to counter sue for harassment. the studios deserve the profits they make, but making a backup copy of media you own is fully legal. this has been the case made before with VHS and even cassette tapes.
waging war on customers is not a great PR campaign. studios should instead be making friends at Apple and Vudu to ensure their profits are kept at an all time high.