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RealNetworks

RealNetworks LLC is an American technology company and provider of Internet streaming media delivery software and services based in Seattle, Washington. The company also provides subscription-based online entertainment services and mobile entertainment and messaging services.

History

RealNetworks (then known as Progressive Networks) was founded in 1994 by Rob Glaser, an ex-Microsoft executive, and a management team including Phil Barrett, Andy Sharpless, and Stephen Buerkle. The original goal of the company was to provide a distribution channel for politically progressive content. It evolved into a technology venture to leverage the Internet as an alternative distribution medium for audio broadcasts. Progressive Networks became RealNetworks in September 1997, in advance of the company's initial public offering (IPO) in October 1997 when shares of the company started trading on Nasdaq as "RNWK".[4]

RealNetworks were pioneers in the streaming media markets and broadcast one of the earlier audio events over the Internet, a baseball game between the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners on September 5, 1995. They announced streaming video technology in 1997. According to some accounts, by 2000 more than 85% of streaming content on the Internet was in the Real format.[5]

Despite this success, problems arose because RealNetworks's primary business model depended upon the sale of streaming media server software, and Microsoft and Apple were giving those products away. As servers from Microsoft and Apple became more capable, Real's server sales inevitably eroded.[6]

In RealNetworks, Inc. v. Streambox, Inc. in January 2000, RealNetworks filed an injunction against Streambox, Inc. regarding that company's product designed to convert Real Audio (.rm) formatted files to other formats.[7] On December 4, 2001, the company was to launch the first coordinated effort to sell and deliver music from major record labels over the Internet, part of a broader initiative by the company to develop subscription Internet services aimed at Web users with fast Internet connections.[8] In 2002, a strategic alliance was formed between RealNetworks and Sony Corporation to expand collaboration.[9] In October 2005, Microsoft agreed to pay RealNetworks $460 million to settle an antitrust lawsuit.[10]

In August 2003, RealNetworks acquired Listen.com's Rhapsody music service, and renamed it RealRhapsody. It offered streaming music downloads for a monthly fee. In January 2004, RealNetworks announced the RealPlayer Music Store, featuring digital rights management (DRM) restricted 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 and the Sansa e200r as the only existing compliant devices, they sparked controversy by introducing a 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 into the two other target DRM schemes.[11]

Real Networks acquired Dutch game company Zylom for $21 million in February 2006.[12] It became part of GameHouse. Glaser left RealNetworks in early 2010.[13][14]

On April 6, 2010, Rhapsody was spun off from RealNetworks. In July 2013, RealNetworks acquired Slingo for $15.6 million.[15] The company introduced a mobile phone app called Listen in April 2014 that plays custom ringtones to those calling the user's phone.[16]

On December 21, 2022, RealNetworks was taken private by founder and CEO Rob Glaser.[17][18][19]

Corporate governance

RealNetworks has its headquarters in Seattle, Washington, in the Home Plate Center building in SoDo across from T-Mobile Park, sharing the building with local television station KING-TV and Logic 20/20 Consulting.[20][21]

Notable RealNetworks employees have included Alex Alben; the first Chief Privacy Officer of Washington State; Tony Fadell, the inventor of the iPod; musician Daniel House; Philip Rosedale, the founder of Linden Lab; Maria Cantwell, a U.S. Senator from Washington; and Sujal Patel and Paul Mikesell, the founders of Isilon.

The domain real.com attracted at least 67 million visitors annually by 2008, according to a Compete.com study.[22]

Products and services

SAFR

Launched by RealNetworks on July 17, 2018, SAFR – Secure Accurate Facial Recognition, is a machine learning facial recognition platform.[23] The SAFR platform was updated in 2020 with COVID-19 response features, including the ability to detect whether a person is wearing a mask and identify people wearing masks with 98.85 percent accuracy.[24] On April 27, 2021, SAFR received a grant from the US Air Force to develop its AI-powered analytics for rescue missions, perimeter protection and domestic search operations.[25]

Kontxt

In 2017, RealNetworks launched Kontxt, a product that offers management of text messaging in mobile networks. It identifies the content of the message and sorts it into categories to determine which ones are more important, and prioritize message delivery.[26] In March 2021, RealNetworks unveiled KONTXT for Voice to identify and stop scam robocalls.

RealTimes (formerly RealPlayer Cloud)

RealNetworks on September 24, 2013, launched RealPlayer Cloud, a service that adds the ability to share videos recorded on smartphones and tablets. RealPlayer Cloud ties into the existing RealPlayer; however, it also has a Web app and apps for Android, iOS and Roku. The service has 2GB of free cloud storage and more storage for a monthly fee.[27] It was renamed to RealTimes on May 19, 2015, with a new focus on creating and sharing "Stories"—video collages of users' personal photos and videos, set to background music.[28]

GameHouse

RealNetworks entered the computer game market in October 2001 with RealArcade, a PC game distribution application that allows users to play casual video games for free for 60 minutes, then decide if they want to purchase them.[29][30] Many of the games were developed by GameHouse, which RealNetworks acquired for $35.6 million in 2004.[31] In 2010, RealNetworks re-branded its games division under the name Gamehouse.[32] It began focusing on social games, such as Facebook applets,[33] and in 2013 acquired casual casino games company, Slingo, for $15.6 million.[34]

RealDVD

On September 30, 2008, RealNetworks launched a new product called RealDVD. The software allows any user to save a copy of a DVD movie they own. The company was later found to have violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and RealNetworks' contract with the DVD Copy Control Association, as the software also allowed anyone to save a movie they do not legally own. (See RealNetworks, Inc. v. DVD Copy Control Ass'n, Inc.).[35] The product's distribution was barred by a court injunction.[36][37]

Real Alternative

Real Alternative is a discontinued software bundle that allows users to play RealMedia files without installing RealPlayer.[38] The last version, 2.02, was released on February 19, 2010. It included Media Player Classic.[39][40]

Beginning in 2010, RealNetworks sued Hilbrand Edskes, a 26-year-old Dutch webmaster, for having inserted hyperlinks to Real Alternative on his site www.codecpack.nl. RealNetworks alleges that Real Alternative is a reverse engineered package.[41]

In November 2011, RealNetworks' case against Edskes was dismissed and RealNetworks was ordered to pay him €48,000 in damages.[42][43] Details of the case and judgement have been published.[44] RealNetworks appealed the case in 2013, this time alleging that Edskes was after all involved in uploading Real Alternatives. Edskes countered that while his automated script did upload Real Alternatives, the web server was deliberately configured to keep the file unavailable to public. He audited the uploads and deleted Real Alternatives before he was raided in February 17, 2010. Therefore, he was never committed unauthorized distribution.[45][46]

Helix

Helix is a suite of streaming media software and services intended for digital TV set-top boxes, mobile devices, as well as QuickTime, Flash and other programs.[47][48] It includes the Helix open-source code and the Helix Universal Server, which hosts, distributes and manages digital rights for multimedia content.[48] Helix competes with the Windows Media 9 Series from Microsoft, but has a greater emphasis on open-source.[48] Helix was announced in July 2002.[49] Support for mobile devices was added in November 2005.[50] It was discontinued in October 2014.[51]

Subscription services

In 2000, one of the initial products, the download manager RealDownload, was already used for pushing small software, such as games, to subscribers' computers. On top of the subscription for RealDownload and using its RealVideo streaming technology, a service called GoldPass, including unlimited access for video snippets from ABC and movie previews, was offered to registered users for a monthly $10 fee.[52] More content was added through deals with CBS for the reality show Big Brother and NBA basketball.[53]

RealDownloader

RealDownloader is a freemium download manager by RealNetworks that downloads embedded Internet videos in multiple formats including MOV and FLV from sites such as YouTube, CollegeHumor, Facebook, Funny or Die and Dailymotion. This software utility lets users share downloaded videos on social networks and transfer them to their mobile devices.

Other products and technologies

  • RealAudio, a compressed audio format
  • RealPlayer, a media player
  • RealVideo, a compressed video format
  • Rinse, a digital music library cleanup tool
  • Unifi, a personal cloud media service
  • Mobile entertainment and messaging services for mobile carriers

See also

External links

References

  1. Dave Kerr. RealNetworks names Rob Glaser its permanent CEO CNET, July 30, 2014, retrieved August 30, 2014^
  2. RealNetworks, Inc. 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K RealNetworks, retrieved October 25, 2015^
  3. Company Profile for RealNetworks Inc. (RNWK) retrieved September 24, 2011^
  4. Dawn Kawamoto. RealNetworks to launch IPO CNET, October 15, 1997, retrieved October 6, 2022^
  5. RealNetworks Inc. Funding Universe, retrieved July 23, 2011^
  6. The History & Future of Real Networks Internet Video Magazine, retrieved July 23, 2011^
  7. (January 18, 2000) Real Networks, Inc. v. Streambox, Inc. Case Summary, Retrieved on August 2, 2009^
  8. Realnetworks is set to launch music service^
  9. Sony, RealNetworks Form Tech Alliance Los Angeles Times, May 1, 2002, retrieved July 25, 2013^
  10. Montalbano, Elizabeth. "Microsoft, RealNetworks Settle for $761 Million", PC World, October 11, 2005. Retrieved on June 29, 2012.^
  11. Amy Bennett. Apple, RealNetworks clash fuels industry debate Computerworld, August 2, 2004, retrieved November 3, 2021^
  12. RealNetworks Buys European Game Company Zylom Forbes, February 7, 2006, retrieved 2024-01-15^
  13. Rob Glaser: It’s been real Los Angeles Times, January 13, 2010^
  14. Dan Frommer. RealNetworks Founder And CEO Rob Glaser Finally Quits Business Insider, retrieved 2025-01-06^
  15. RealNetworks Acquires Slingo RTTNews, July 31, 2013, retrieved August 2, 2013^
  16. Angela Moscaritolo. Ringback Tones Return on RealNetworks 'Listen' App PC Magazine, April 10, 2014, retrieved May 19, 2015^
  17. RealNetworks LLC Announces Closing of Acquisition of RealNetworks, Inc. by CEO Rob Glaser www.prnewswire.com, retrieved 2023-01-20^
  18. Register www.bizjournals.com, retrieved 19 August 2023^
  19. Register www.bizjournals.com, retrieved 19 August 2023^
  20. John Cook. RealNetworks returns to roots, plans move to smaller offices near Safeco Field GeekWire, May 6, 2013^
  21. Remy Mooney. RealNetworks Leases 85,000 SF in the Home Plate Center in Seattle June 5, 2013, retrieved March 18, 2016^
  22. Real.com attracts 67 million visitors annually retrieved April 26, 2008^
  23. RealNetworks Launches SAFR, a Best-In-Class Facial Recognition Platform Bloomberg.com, July 17, 2018, retrieved April 27, 2021^
  24. SAFR Upgrades Biometric Platform's Mask Detection Capabilities FindBiometrics, October 29, 2020, retrieved April 28, 2021^
  25. SAFR wins USAF SBIR grant to extend AI-powered analytics to UGV www.airforce-technology.com, April 27, 2021, retrieved April 28, 2021^
  26. RealNetworks' new product Kontxt aims to manage trillions of texts on mobile networks GeekWire, November 28, 2017, retrieved April 27, 2021^
  27. With its new cloud player, RealNetworks is trying the next big turnaround — Tech News and Analysis Gigaom.com, September 24, 2013, retrieved December 10, 2013^
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  31. Joris Evers. RealNetworks Acquires GameHouse PCWorld, IDG News Service, January 26, 2004, retrieved August 27, 2014^
  32. Alex Pham. RealNetworks renovates its GameHouse business to be more social Los Angeles Times, May 4, 2010, retrieved August 28, 2014^
  33. Dean Takahashi. Real Networks' GameHouse makes its run at social gaming VentureBeat, September 22, 2011, retrieved August 28, 2014^
  34. Dean Takahashi. RealNetworks buys Slingo for $15.6M as it doubles down on social casino games July 31, 2013^
  35. The New York Times (October 1, 2008) Studios sue to bar a DVD copying program, Retrieved on August 2, 2009^
  36. Mark Hachman. RealNetworks Loses DVD Copying Decision PC Magazine, August 11, 2009, retrieved August 12, 2009^
  37. Brad Stone. RealNetworks Barred From Selling DVD Copy Maker Bits, The New York Times, August 11, 2009, retrieved August 12, 2009^
  38. Real Alternative 2.02 FileHippo, retrieved August 29, 2011^
  39. Real Alternative 2.02 - Technical details FileHippo, February 20, 2010, retrieved August 29, 2011^
  40. Real Alternative 2.0.2 Free-Codecs.com, February 19, 2010, retrieved August 29, 2011^
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  44. LJN: BU3223, Rechtbank's-Gravenhage, 363011 / HA ZA 10-1233 de Rechtspraak (Dutch language), November 4, 2011, retrieved December 10, 2011^
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  46. Conclusies en tussenvonnis RealNetworks tegen Edskes retrieved March 11, 2021^
  47. Jan Ozer. A closer look at streaming servers Sound & Video Contractor, November 2012^
  48. Ken Kerschbaumer. RealNetworks launches Helix Broadcasting & Cable, July 28, 2002, retrieved August 27, 2014^
  49. Simon Applebaum. RealNetworks Is Streaming Against the Microsoft Tide Multichannel News, July 28, 2002, retrieved August 27, 2014^
  50. RealNetworks Upgrades Helix To Support Wireless Networks InformationWeek, November 16, 2005, retrieved August 27, 2014^
  51. Troy Dreier. RealNetworks Discontinues Helix Media Delivery Suite of Products Streaming Media, October 31, 2014, retrieved June 29, 2015^
  52. Ellie Kieskowski. RealNetworks Launches Subscription Service Streamingmedia.com, August 15, 2000, retrieved January 3, 2014^
  53. RBR.com. RealNetworks, CBS deliver access to Big Brother 8 July 6, 2007, retrieved November 3, 2021^