Apparently, Winamp is still whipping the llama’s ass, if the llama in question is the oft-maligned RealPlayer.

As you well know, these are small amounts in the grand scheme of Twitter, and it should clue you into just how popular the service is. Granted, they’ve expanded from the days of being known as the streaming video player that brought the word “buffering” to popularity, but even with the new services, they can’t escape their past, something Oh Internet expands on quite nicely.

Now, as if to add to their sterling reputation, RealNetworks is suing a Dutch webmaster because he had the audacity to link to a free alternative to the RealPlayer, called Real Alternative. The webmaster in question runs a software downloads site, but instead of hosting these files, he simply links to places they can be downloaded.

Naturally, RealNetworks’ complaint has to do with trademarks and copyrights, but the question is, if they are truly worried about that, why not go after the developers of the Real Alternative instead of some webmaster who doesn’t have the same resources to defend himself?

Obviously, the answer lies in the question.

Instead of going after companies like CNet’s Download.com, a site that apparently hosts the program in question and Google, who has more links for “Real Alternative” than the webmaster being sued, undoubtedly, RealNetworks goes after the little guy, much like a bully who picks on the weaker of the bunch.

Apparently, going after the little guy is safer than getting your collective ass handed to you by Google’s legal team. That being said, we’re throwing down the gauntlet at WebProNews. This is us linking to a site that links to Real Alternative downloads, essentially the same thing the Dutch webmaster did. This should also give some insight into the lead image, which is defiance in the face of RealNetworks’ bullying strategy.

RealNetworks’ problem is with the developers of Real Alternative, not the people who link to the download. Considering the fact that RealNetworks have been around since 1995, you’d think they’d have a little bit more Internet/business savvy than…

Sorry, that last part of the article hasn’t downloaded yet because of buffering issues.

“A video search box powered by blinkx will be embedded in the RealPlayer window, so that its millions of users will now have direct access from within the Player to a fully-searchable index of over 12 million hours of online video,” a press release continues.

In case you’re wondering, this will not conflict with the Real-Google arrangement – as David Utter reported, that involved RealPlayer being added to the Google Pack of software.  Yet there may still be problems, and Jeff Chasen, vice president of RealPlayer, even mentioned the reason in an official statement.

“The new RealPlayer will give people the ability to easily download non-DRM protected videos from thousands of sites, so giving our users access to a best-in-class video search experience is critical,” said Chasen.  That access may not last for long, though, if lawyers attack Real’s ability to deal in non-DRM protected video.

On the bright side, Blinkx has done quite well for itself, making all sorts of partners and nailing an IPO.  Perhaps some of that luck will rub off on Real.

While YouTube will be added to the device this month, the entire YouTube catalog will not be available until the fall. Why?

Apparently, Google is re-encoding every single YouTube video into H.264 format, which will allow playback on devices that do not support Flash and Flash Video, like the Apple TV, the iPhone, and many other portable devices. That’s amazing news for everyone, even those who don’t own an Apple TV, because it should mean the ability to download YouTube videos, probably in higher quality, and without any sort of hack. It’s a big move for YouTube, and I can’t wait to see the transition.

When I upload videos, I put them on YouTube and Google Video, and the only reason I use Google Video is that you can download videos from there. Uploading to Google Video can sometimes fail for no reason, so it’d be great to upload to YouTube and be done with it. Hopefully we’ll know more about this next week.

Also, YouTube signed a deal with EMI for allowing their music on YouTube, giving them all four major record labels. Now you can upload music and music videos without worrying much about it.

And RealPlayer is adding a feature that allows you to download YouTube videos, save them, burn them, watch them offline. Seems kind of redundant if the H.264 downloads happen, but we’ll see.

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Google Pack includes:

Additional Software:

Google Pack also comes with an updater program that will keep all the software in the Google Pack current and it works with the programs you already have installed.

Google blog has says Google Pack is:

a one-stop software package that helps you discover, install, and maintain a wide range of essential PC programs. It’s yours today – and it’s something we hope you find to be painless, easy, and even fun (if computer setup can ever be called that). And it’s free.

At first I approach things like this from Google with the same skepticism as I used to view Microsoft’s software offerings or freebies. But in the end, that skepticism often gives way to indifference because the tools are useful and in most cases do not cause any ill effects.

I think most experienced SEOs are pretty confident that Google is currently using user data from Google made or partner desktop applications in it’s process of ranking web pages. There’s no reason to think that’s not the case with Google Pack. My biggest question is: Does user data really help rank web pages better? Or is Google still figuring that out?

Lee Odden is President and Founder of
TopRank Online Marketing, specializing in organic SEO, blog
marketing and online public relations. He’s been cited as a search
marketing expert by publications including U.S. News & World Report and
The Economist and has implemented successful search marketing programs
with top BtoB companies of all sizes. Odden shares his marketing
expertise at Online Marketing Blog offering
daily news, interviews and best practices.

I can certainly understand this from non-American’s … but has it occured to you Microsoft haters that Microsoft is one of the most successful businesses in the history of the United States?

We are at a point where Americans NEED to start defending Microsoft in light of the huge fine imposed by the EU on this American titan. Microsoft is being fined millions by Europe for including its own version of RealPlayer in the Windows operating system … thus stifling RealPlayer as a competitor.

Kind of ironic considering the FACT that Europe is still largely socialist and provides billions in assistance to companies like AirBus. Isn’t that hurting potential AirBus competitors such as Boeing?

Of course it is … but I doubt reality will get in the way of Europe stealing from America.

Here’s the problem with the EU fine imposed on U.S. based Microsoft. The company that is the reason for the fine … RealPlayer … is also a U.S. company.

How the hell do anti-competitive practices by a U.S. company against another U.S. company result in Europe reaping millions?

Well … the answer is that Europe is simply taking advantage of the situation.

This rape of an American company by Europe is only working becuase U.S. states such as Massachusetts and California plus the Feds are also hammering Microsoft for millions. Now, many Americans hate Microsoft too.

This has enabled the European Union to go for the (our) money.

Yes … the EU will gladly help you tear Microsoft down.

The question is … which U.S. company is next?

Rich Ord is the CEO of iEntry, Inc. which publishes over 200 websites and email newsletters.

Rich also publishes his blog WebProBlog which focuses on internet business and marketing trends.

“By combining RealPlayer 10′s popularity with the Google Toolbar, we’re helping users worldwide improve and enhance their media playback and search experience on the web,” said Carla Stratfold, senior vice president, North America Sales, RealNetworks, Inc.

The combination of the Google Toolbar with RealPlayer means that when you install RealPlayer, the Google Toolbar installs on your web browser, with all the functions included with it. The Google Toolbar is an optional download from Real.

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