News
DVD Jon reverse-engineers FairPlay DRM
Famous for creating DeCSS software to remove encryption on Macrovision protected DVDs, Jon Lech Johansen (aka DVD Jon) has reportedly reverse-engineered Apple’s FairPlay DRM (Digital Rights Management) software, and is licensing it to any company that wants it. Using the reverse-engineered code, a company can purchase a license and make their content (music or videos) play on Apple’s iTunes and iPod products. According to the report, Johansen set up a meeting with Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs, who, not knowing that Jon would later decide offer the FairPlay license to companies, warned that while Apple was not a litigious company, other tech firms might not take kindly to whatever he might be up to. [via GigaOM]
Related Stories
- Judge: US can show Apple e-book pricing conspiracy
- Report: iOS 7 ‘black, white, and flat all over’
- Apple WWDC Keynote set for June 10
- Apple patent application details interactive AirPlay, TV
- Report: iWatch pushed to late 2014?
- New Apple online store design alters focus, hides deals
Comments
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- iLounge Weekly coming Monday, giveaway update
- Apple drops refurbished fourth-gen iPad, mini prices
- Judge: US can show Apple e-book pricing conspiracy
- AT&T’s GoPhone to add LTE/HSPA+ support for iPhone
- Report: iOS 7 ‘black, white, and flat all over’
- Apple WWDC Keynote set for June 10
- Apps: Foursquare 6.2, Hyper Breaker Turbo, Pandora 4.3 + Shazam 6.0
- Apple patent application details interactive AirPlay, TV
- Report: iWatch pushed to late 2014?
- Griffin releases iPhone 5 Survivor + Catalyst Waterproof Case
Recent Reviews
- Lynktec TruGlide Pro Precision Stylus
- C4 Electronics Dolry HiFi Stone 30-Pin AirPlay Adapter
- Boombotix Boombot Rex Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Nuu Splash Portable Waterproof Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Scosche boomBottle Weatherproof Sport Wireless Speaker
- HMDX Jam Plus Bluetooth Wireless Speaker
- Fitbit Flex Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband
- Cambridge Audio Minx Air 100 + 200 Bluetooth + AirPlay Wireless Speakers
- Mophie Juice Pack Plus for iPhone 5
- Ultimate Ears UE Boom
Recent Articles
- Costs associated with using FaceTime
- iMessages showing as Delivered when iPhone is out of coverage
- Inability to use Find My Friends without a passcode
- Calendar info disappears after iCloud restore
- Remove old iCloud backup after restoring to a new iPhone
- Setting up a ringtone in iTunes
- Using a Wi-Fi hard drive with an iPad
- Backing up and restoring an iPod classic
- Can’t restore iPod touch without passcode
- Retaining older versions of Apps during an iOS Restore
1
Apple not a litigious company? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
HAHAHAHAHA!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hehehehehehe…
Posted by catboy17 on October 2, 2006 at 10:26 AM (PST)
2
So, either Jobs is a liar, or he’s an idiot.
Posted by stark23x on October 2, 2006 at 10:42 AM (PST)
3
I would never buy any of the media from any of those companies that DVD Jon licensed to. Basically because Apple will just release an update to the firmware and then none of those files will play on the iPod again…we already went through this with REAL. You’d think people would learn their lesson…but no…
Posted by Glorybox3737 on October 2, 2006 at 11:28 AM (PST)
4
*Pumps fists in the air*
Have that Steve!
Posted by moo on October 2, 2006 at 12:01 PM (PST)
5
I would imagine that DVD Jon will either offer some type of update to keep over-riding the DRM updates OR people who use this product will just choose to not update their firmware.
Posted by Jake on October 2, 2006 at 12:25 PM (PST)
6
@Glorybox3737: It’s doubtful that they will be able to address this with their current model. The only way Apple can invalidate current iTunes-DRM is to not only allow customers to download everything they’ve ever purchased again (something they should do anyhow) but actually require the customer to do so.
As for DVD John, all I can say is, Hell yeah!
Posted by Code Monkey in Midstate New York on October 2, 2006 at 12:29 PM (PST)
7
There’s goes DVD Jon again…breaking all sorts of copy protection and DRM that the megalith corporations spew on us, expecting us to simply take it.
In a thought…DVD Jon ROCKS!!!
Posted by flatline response on October 2, 2006 at 12:57 PM (PST)
8
Great, so now more companies can produce DRMed music and video to sell us to play on one type of device, rather than encouraging companies to sell non-DRMed media.
Thanks a bundle Jon. (but the DeCSS, that was a great move
)
Posted by PhilB on October 2, 2006 at 1:12 PM (PST)
9
I too find the limitations of DRM-protected content troublesome, as a well meaning customer. But if Apple can’t effectively protect its investment, then their prices will rise out of necessity. “Trust” is unfortunately not enough in a world with the rampant piracy of “intellectual property”. Be careful what you wish for - the law of intended consequences may bite you in the behind.
Posted by chashulme in Southern California on October 2, 2006 at 1:28 PM (PST)
10
It’s not about Apple losing revenue, or removing DRM restrictions from iTunes-downloaded music. I bought an iPod knowing I would be locked into using iTunes. But, it would be great if I could use it with Yahoo’s music service, MSN’s, etc. I think the idea is to license the same DRM scheme to other distibutors, which would open the entire iPod market to those distributors. Apple doesn’t want to lose that monopoly or market share.
Posted by Anonymous on October 2, 2006 at 3:07 PM (PST)
11
Re: Code Monkey
Didn’t this same thing happen with Real? Real was able to create harmony. REALs music was able to work with the iPod…Apple just released a regular firmware update and then BAM! those music files from real no longer worked….I don’t see how this will be any different…
http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=784
Posted by Glorybox3737 on October 2, 2006 at 3:29 PM (PST)
12
RealPlayer Music Store tracks still work on iPods, and soon, so will tracks from Rhapsody.
Posted by Galley in Greenville, SC on October 2, 2006 at 4:15 PM (PST)
13
Again the think is skewed in the direction of buying digital music online. As an Australian consumer, it took so long for the iTunes Store to arrive here that I still haven’t warmed to it. I still firmly believe in buying physical CDs. Uncompressed audio, unprotected (I use a Mac, so copy-protected discs don’t affect me).
So buy your music and video offline and rip it yourself.
Posted by Japester on October 2, 2006 at 7:46 PM (PST)
14
this guy is the balls. if only he’d fix hymm :(
Posted by mrfett in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 2006 at 9:35 PM (PST)
15
So would Fairplay additions to WMA files now play on iPods, or would Apple’s firmware blocking of WMA continue to operate?
Posted by Mike on October 2, 2006 at 10:34 PM (PST)
16
All Apple has to do is update Fairplay and so much for this hack.
Posted by palindrome on October 3, 2006 at 2:35 PM (PST)
17
how does this help me? sounds like he just wants to get paid.
Posted by M on October 7, 2006 at 11:38 AM (PST)