RealNetworks

RealNetworks {{NASDAQ|RNWK}} is a Seattle-based provider of Internet media delivery software and services. The company is best known for the creation of RealAudio, a compressed audio format, and RealVideo, a compressed video format, and for its leadership in the field of streaming media.

Music Store

In August 2003, Real acquired Listen.com's Rhapsody music service, and renames it RealRhapsody. It offers streaming music downloads for a monthly fee. In January 2004, Real announced that they are creating RealPlayer Music Store, featuring DRM-protected music in the AAC file format. After some initial tries to push their own DRM scheme (named Helix DRM) onto all device manufacturers with the Creative Zen Xtra as the only existing compliant device, they sparked controversy by introducing a controversial technology called Harmony that allowed their music to play on iPods as well as Microsoft Windows Media Audio DRM-equipped devices using a "wrapper" that would convert Helix DRM the two other target DRM schemes.

Related Topics:
August - 2003 - RealRhapsody - January - 2004 - RealPlayer Music Store - DRM - AAC - Creative Zen Xtra - Harmony - IPods - Microsoft Windows Media Audio

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