Media Rights Technologies Threatens Media Player Software Makers

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 11, 2007 - 10:52am.

Santa Cruz, Calif. - Media Rights Technologies (MRT), a developer of technology that protects streaming audio from being recorded, has sent cease and desist letters to Microsoft, Adobe, RealNetworks and Apple, claiming that by not licensing its technology, the companies are acting "without regard for the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or the rights of American Intellectual Property owners."

Santa Cruz, Calif.-based MRT claims that its X1SeCure Recording Control has been tested by the RIAA and IFPI and proven effective against "stream ripper" software that can record copyrighted audio streams.

Lawyers quizzed by CNET News.com said that the recipients of MRT's cease and desist letters likely could not be held liable for not licensing its technology.

RealNetworks spokesman Matt Graves told News.com the tactic seemed more intended to generate publicity.

"That's a rather novel approach to business development," said Graves.

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/2y5d7x

http://tinyurl.com/25qjau (CNET)

http://www.mediarightstech.com

Published in DMW Daily, May 11, 2007

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Comments

the DMCA

Submitted by Jim Coleman (not verified) on May 12, 2007 - 4:53am.

The DMCA was passed into law and signed by presidentClinton in 1998. This law anticipated a company like Media Rights Technologies (MRT) which could provide copy protection that was not yet avaailable in 1998 when the law passed. This company, MRT, has as it's mission statement, the purpose of saving the arts in this country which are currently being destroyed by Internet piracy. The law firm, Robinson and Wood, who have taken on this case do feel that MRT will recover damages. A federal judge will grant an injunction against the 4 companies involved and require that they stop distributing their technology which allows the illegal copying of copyrighted materials. What MRT is doing is the right thing and I hope they succeed in shutting down the terrible misuse of technology on the Internet that is currently in play.