FairPlay for sale, and not by Apple

If you check the linked article, or know anything about engineering, you'll know that contrary to the TUAW writeup, DVD Jon has reverse-engineered FairPlay. Reverse-engineering is when, without looking at the way something works (i.e. the source code in computer programming) you create something that works in the exact same way and as such can be used interchangeably with it. I believe that the DMCA, icky though it is, makes an exception for reverse-engineering of DRM (as does the equally-icky EUCD). There are grey areas in the laws, but the fact remains that he has reverse-engineered it.

Reverse engineering involves UFO's right? ;)

I suspect Scott doesn't know what reverse engineering actually is.

I don't know what all the fuss is about. Surely everyone knows that Fairplay is easily gotten around, simply by burning as many tracks as possible onto a CD as audio and then re-importing them? No more fairplay.

I had to do this in order to use my legally purchased tracks with my DJ mixing software (at home, I might add). Admittedly, it's cumbersome, but it does make Fairplay a slightly mute point, as you can then do what you want with your tracks.

The biggest problem with iTunes, in my opinion, is the severe lack of decent 'alternative' music. I mostly use beatport.com (and 'other sources') now, beatport tracks come with no DRM at all. Slightly more expensive, but 320kbps quality and what I do with it is up to me.

@nezromatron (#8)

Dude, I DON'T FEEL LIKE A CRIMINAL. THAT is the value of BUYING legitimate merchandise.

Unlike others. I don't feel that it is OK to lie, cheat and steal to get ahead. The only reason a person should be against DRM, is when they don't want to do things legitimately. These are the same people that lurk around on limewire looking for that full copy of 3D Studio Max with all the bells and whistles. They are willing to steal it but not ready to earn it.

DRM'ed music is LEGAL. I don't have to worry about the damage MY stolen music does to the music industry. Why? Because I don't have ANY stolen music. DRM's are there to assure the record companies that there's some kind of protection. As for pirates, I say lock THEM away and throw away the key. In my mind there is no lower scum. If you can't afford to have something, there is an old concept called 'living without'. THAT's what I do when I feel somethings out of my budget.

As for quality, The music that I have bought has perfectly fine quality.

Don't want DRM? Want 'better sound quality'? Go BUY a CD and rip the songs yourself and keep it to yourself. STEALING is wrong. Whining that a company isn't allowing you and your pals to devalue something that has value, is totally weaksauce.

Also, just because one buys a CD, that doesn't give them the right to freely distribute MP3's of the tracks. THAT is copyright infringement.

>3. Woah, Jon's already been arrested for his earlier DVD Hijinks, I wonder if
>this is truly stepping over the line in terms of challenging DRM restrictions.

it was not found guilty because what it done was legal.

Surely, he knows where he goes.

but you should wait for more informations , it could be just his software to make drm stuff.

and who said he "hates" drm ? he only wanted to _read_ dvd on linux. (as me).



if DRM is software it can developp and sell and gain money, I say : go for it! (I would too, money is good. you can use it to do good thing too, you know ?)

the main fight is about freedom with what you buy.
I don't use Itunes store because it's not so cheap and I cannot read the music in my linux box and it say nothing about the future.

but I could use PERSONAL DRM for MY WORK to distribute it to YOU. if you accept to use it.

3. Woah, Jon's already been arrested for his earlier DVD Hijinks, I wonder if this is truly stepping over the line in terms of challenging DRM restrictions.
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Jon did not get convicted for the DVD DeCSS. And as long as he is a citizen of a free country (Norway) thats not ruled by RIA, I don't think he ever will be!

Apple has had a great couple of years. I'd suggest that everyone who owns AAPL take a look at their portfolio's to check to see what percentage AAPL is and how well their assets are diversified. If you find yourself 20% or 30% or more in AAPL, you have a concentrated position and are at risk should it under-perform. I recommend taking a look and rebalancing should that be the case. Just a thought from the financial planning side.

Unfortunatly to be able to use this without disabling the use of all your existing music the program would need to find the key for your iTunes account. And that would certainlly fall under DMCA. I just can't see anyone liscencing this and making money.

"Gee, this will help Apple sell more hardware!"

And if one of DVD Jon's clients is a hardware manufacturer?