'DVD Jon' Opens Up Apple's FairPlay

[Slimy]

Noted DRM hacker Jon Johansen, known more commonly by the nickname "DVD Jon," has now figured out a way to reverse engineer Apple's FairPlay digital rights management technology. Johansen is now licensing his workaround to companies who want their media to play on Apple devices.

According to a report on technology web log GigaOM, Johansen along with partner Monique Farantzos have already approached Apple CEO Steve Jobs about their technology, although they did not provide specifics on their plans.

Reportedly, Jobs told the pair -- who have formed the company DoubleTwist Ventures -- that Apple would not pursue legal action. Nevertheless, Jobs warned that other companies might not take so kindly to their motives.

It is unclear why Apple may be so receptive to DounleTwist's plans, although it may be due to the how Johansen has designed it to work. Instead of stripping the DRM, the technology will actually add another layer on top of what already exists.

It is in this layer that the technology lies that enables songs from music services other than iTunes to play on an iPod. While this might hurt music sales in Apple's own service, it could actually help the Cupertino company to sell more iPods, some say.

"Apple enjoys fat margins on its devices, and perhaps should turn a blind eye, for now," Liz Gannes opined for GigaOM Monday. "We won't be crossing our fingers for Jobs to keep his non-litigious promise, though."

Any help in selling more iPods should be welcomed by Apple. Microsoft plans to release its highly anticipated Zune music player in mid-November, and the device is seen as the first true threat to the company since the launch of the iPod in 2001.

However, the company has been notoriously protective of its intellectual property, and a legal challenge to Johansen's actions is fairly likely.

Source

[sdb815]

Wow, this guy is good. Doesn't he live in the US now?

[Chad]

Wow, this guy is good. Doesn't he live in the US now?

Yup, in San Fran. He's so getting a letter from Apple legal

[gadean]

Yup, in San Fran. He's so getting a letter from Apple legal

LOL, heck yes he is!

So smart.. yet so dumb to think he could get away with this.

[flyakite]

LOL, heck yes he is!

So smart.. yet so dumb to think he could get away with this.

I swear, does anyone around here actually read the articles before they post stupid ass comments?

Reportedly, Jobs told the pair -- who have formed the company DoubleTwist Ventures -- that Apple would not pursue legal action. Nevertheless, Jobs warned that other companies might not take so kindly to their motives.

AND

It is unclear why Apple may be so receptive to DounleTwist's plans, although it may be due to the how Johansen has designed it to work. Instead of stripping the DRM, the technology will actually add another layer on top of what already exists.

[Malbojia]

It all depends. He could of went back home in norway on vacation and done it in that country. Brought back said reverse engineered drm. None the less he could of done it black box style, without analyzing the code, the output of it. In witch it is still legal to do.

[RootWind]

Didn't Real already do this already? Apple just kept on updating the DRM every time Real cracked it.

[KeR]

He's getting a letter from Apple Legal thats for sure....I just got mine last week :D and my ISP freaked out just because of some Leopard screenshots.

[Kushan]

He's getting a letter from Apple Legal thats for sure....I just got mine last week :D and my ISP freaked out just because of some Leopard screenshots.

Read the damn article.

[Hitman2000]

Read the damn article.

I swear, does anyone around here actually read the articles before they post stupid ass comments?

Quote -

Reportedly, Jobs told the pair --

Did you guys read the article. See that word "Reportedly, Jobs told the pair" and the last sentence

However, the company has been notoriously protective of its intellectual property, and a legal challenge to Johansen's actions is fairly likely.

SO wtf do you think that means. Get off your high horses thinking your so goddam smart and all learn to read between the line (better yet you don't even need to do that it states the 99.9% possibility of what apple are going to do, re-read the article yourself ) :crazy: :angry:

[ikyouCrow]

sure he might get a letter.

but as long as he doesn't use the word p*d, they can't sue. :p

[Leddy]

How is "allowing other DRM'd songs to play on an iPod" hacking FairPlay?

[mattisking]

I kinda feel like he let us all down... He's not doing a thing to "free" our LEGALLY purchased music... he's simply finding a way to make the same DRM technology work on other players... he's essentially helping to enforce the lockout.