Apple Out of Tune With Harmony

Don't say we didn't warn them. The introduction of Harmony from Real Networks, a way to make Real's Helix DRM technology compatible with the iPod, has drawn the ire of Apple's legal team. Apple says that it is "stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod".

Reportedly, Apple is looking into taking legal action via the Digital Millenium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998. The DMCA includes provisions against "circumvention" of copy-protection technologies. IANAL, but is Harmony really circumventing FairPlay? In DRM terms, I would characterize circumvention as removing DRM from a piece of protected music. As I understand it, Harmony adds FairPlay DRM to music rather than subtracts it. All it really circumvents is Apple's iTunes Music Store.

More bits at the Wall Street Journal, Mac Rumors, Dan Gillmor's eJournal and BBC News.

Related Links:
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