DVD Jon Strikes Again

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

DVD Jon Strikes Again

Associated Press Page 1 of 1

07:55 AM Aug. 15, 2004 PT

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The Norwegian hacker famed for developing DVD encryption-cracking software has apparently struck again -- this time breaking the locks on Apple Computer's wireless music-streaming technology.

Jon Lech Johansen released on his website -- defiantly named So Sue Me -- a software key that helps unlock the encryption Apple uses for its AirPort Express, a device that lets users broadcast digital music from Apple's online iTunes Music Store on a stereo that's not plugged into a computer.

Some security consultants say with the key and another program he released, Johansen, also known as DVD Jon, has helped pave the way for other software applications than Apple's iTunes to work with AirPort Express.

Johansen, an open source advocate, has been critical of Apple's proprietary system, which largely restricts Apple's hardware and software products to work only with each other.

More at: http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,64591,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_7

[thebigidea]

1. how dare they create stuff that only works with their stuff!

I'm all for copyright infringment, but it seems awfully whiny to complain about Apple's proprietary systems. They're making a product that apparently lots of people like...

[TroubleMan]

2. DVD Jon is a hero

Big corporations are trying to tell you what you can and can't do with your computer, tell you what you can and can't do with your DVD's or CD's.

He created a program so he could play legally purchased DVD's on his linux computer, published how to do it (for free), and they tried to rake him over the coals for it.

Apple can't say shit to him...a lot of the code he invented and distributed for free, they are using it for their programs and didn't pay him any royalty (and he's not asking for any).