RealNetworks Sues to Stop Suits

RealNetworks Inc. has filed suit seeking to stop consumers’ lawsuits that claim the No. 1 maker of software used to play online music and video violated privacy laws by accessing information from users’ computer hard drives without permission. The suit filed in state court in Seattle claims that any disputes should be settled through arbitration under terms of a licensing agreement that governs the relationship between RealNetworks and its customers. In RealNetworks’ suit, filed in December, the company claims that the lawsuits are based on “erroneous statements contained in media coverage.” Stock in Seattle-based RealNetworks rose $1.69 to close at $117.44 on Nasdaq.