Grab your iOS version of VLC now... it may be gone soon

Based on the latest comments from VLC media player lead developer Rémi Denis-Courmont, it seems likely that the iOS version of the app probably won't be available much longer. Denis-Courmont claims that Apple is violating the GNU public license (GPL) under which VLC is released by applying DRM to it.

While VLC is available free of charge for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the App Store, it's not possible to copy it from one device to another. Every copy of an iOS app is tied to a specific user account when it is downloaded, regardless of whether you pay for it or not. The GPL requires that any software using that license and any derivative works be able to be freely copied and distributed.

Apparently the developers that created the iOS version of VLC made a mistake in submitting the app, because the GPL is incompatible with Apple's App Store rules. Earlier this year, an iOS version of the game GNU Go was removed from the store because of the GPL incompatibility. It's a shame that VLC will be going away, because it is one of the best media players available on the App Store, with support for virtually every conceivable audio and video codec. On the bright side, the end of VLC for iOS may be good news for those waiting for an Android version as resources are redirected.

[via iLounge]