] SAN FRANCISCO -- DVD-copying software maker 321 Studios
] is defending the legality of its products in court here,
] possibly facing an uphill battle before a judge who
] opened the hearing by saying she leans toward siding with
] Hollywood.
]
] U.S. District Court Judge Susan Illston said she is
] "substantially persuaded" by the opinions of other judges
] in earlier cases involving the 1998 Digital Millennium
] Copyright Act, which makes it illegal to distribute tools
] that circumvent copy prevention technologies. Those
] opinions were in favor of copyright holders.
]
] Several of Hollywood's largest movie studios are opposing
] 321 Studios, which markets several tools to make copies
] of movies on DVD. Initial hearings were held on Thursday
] in the request for an injunction barring the software
] vendor from selling its product. 321 Studios is facing
] complaints form Columbia Pictures, Disney, MGM Studios,
] The Saul Zaentz Company, Time Warner Entertainment,
] Tristar Pictures, and Universal City Studios.