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[Alcibiades]

just right now...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm.../applerespondstorealnetworksipodhackertactics

Apple responds to RealNetworks iPod 'hacker' tactics

14 minutes ago

By Jim Dalrymple MacCentral

Apple Computer Inc. issued a statement on Thursday regarding RealNetworks Harmony technology, which will allow its users to play music on Apple's iPod. Apple warned RealNetworks and its users that the technology will likely not work in the future.

"We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod, and we are investigating the implications of their actions under the DMCA and other laws," said Apple in the statement. "We strongly caution Real and their customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods."

 

[Pochacco]

Real sucks =)

 

[impirius]

Hey, here's an idea: give us real, honest-to-goodness MP3s instead of this locked down DRM crap. Then it'll work on anything!

 

[Shogmaster]

"We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod, and we are investigating the implications of their actions under the DMCA and other laws," said Apple in the statement. "We strongly caution Real and their customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods.

We are also sending Xerox their long overdue check."

Then and only then they have room to bitch.

 

[SteveMeister]

That's no lie, either... there has been at least one iTunes/iPod software update that HAD to be done, or you couldn't play purchased music.

 

[Yossarian]

Can someone summarize this situation for me? Whats this harmony thang?

 

[SteveMeister]

Can someone summarize this situation for me? Whats this harmony thang?

A while back, Real contacted Apple, wanting to license the FairPlay DRM so that music downloaded from their service could play on iPods. Apple said, "No thanks".

So Real this week announced that they have reverse-engineered FairPlay, and not only that, that they plan to license that reverse-engineered technology to others so that they can make DRM'd music that plays on iPods as well.

That's what Apple's responding to.

 

[relentlessflame]

So Real this week announced that they have reverse-engineered FairPlay, and not only that, that they plan to license that reverse-engineered technology to others so that they can make DRM'd music that plays on iPods as well.

The key thing, at least according to their claims, is that they didn't, in fact, reverse-engineer it. They just were able to re-create a compatible protocol. That's what they say anyway. The reason why that's key is mentioned in the original post; if they reverse-engineered, they'd be in deep trouble according to the DMCA. We'll see what happens though... when this goes to court, it'll set some new precidents, I expect...

 

[DJ Demon J]

That's no lie, either... there has been at least one iTunes/iPod software update that HAD to be done, or you couldn't play purchased music.

Indeed, I suffered from this when I purchased an Oasis song and couldn't transfer it to the iPod. There's always the CD-burnaround, but still...