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Apple Accuses RealNetworks Of Hacking Into iPods

added 30 July 2004 at 10.55

Apple, makers of the hugely popular iPod, have accused music download competitor RealNetworks using “Hacker tactics” following RN’s claim that it has found a way for tunes from its online store to be played on iPods.

Apple has said it is looking closely at the software firm RealNetworks' claim that they’ve created a program that mimics Apple's protection software. This protection software is designed to allow tracks downloaded from iTunes to be played only on iPods.

Apple has released a statement in which it said they were "stunned" by RN’s "hacker tactics" while RN has hit back saying that the consumer and not Apple should decide what music goes on their iPod.

"We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod," read an Apple statement. "We are investigating the implications of their actions under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and other laws.

“We strongly caution Real and their customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods."

RN has countered explaining that its engineers used publicly-available information to work out how to make files compatible saying it had been developed it so that consumers could buy music once and play it anywhere.

Very few players are designed to play tracks downloaded from RN's online music store, though the company’s software means that when a user buys a song the program will check the music device on which the tune is to be played, and will change its format if necessary.

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Jon Ford

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