RSSReal Instigates iPod War
By David Worthington | Published July 30, 2004, 1:22 AM
Just months after RealNetworks approached Apple with open arms to coordinate their online music strategies only to be spurned; RealNetworks shocked the world of digital music by introducing its new "Harmony" technology. Harmony translates between competing DRM standards and supports over 70 music players – including the iPod. In the aftermath of Harmony's launch, the souring relationship between RealNetworks and Apple can be described as anything but harmonious.
As evidenced by a statement released by Apple this Thursday and the ensuing war of words, things have gone from bad to worse. In the company's official response to Harmony, an Apple spokesperson stated, "We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod, and we are investigating the implications of their actions under the DMCA and other laws."
In a rebuttal to those remarks, RealNetworks dismissed Apple's legal posturing and cited what it deemed to be "clear precedent" for its activities, pointing to Compaq's first IBM compatible PC as an equivalent example.
"Apple has suggested that new laws such as the DMCA (Digital Millenium copyright Act) are relevant to this dispute. In fact, the DMCA is not designed to prevent the creation of new methods of locking content and explicitly allows the creation of interoperable software," read a RealNetworks press release.
Real also asserted that Harmony creates an entirely difference way to "lock content" from Real's music store so that it is compatible with the iPod portable music player, Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) devices, and Helix DRM devices. According to RealNetworks, Harmony does not remove or disable any digital rights management system therefore not falling under the umbrella of the DMCA.
In what could quickly turn into a game of tit for tat, Apple has cautioned Real and its customers that it is "highly likely" that Real's technology will cease to work with all current and future iPods due to changes which are scheduled to be made in the iPod's software. Real publicly ridiculed this statement as an affront against consumer choice and advocated for the consumer's rights to choose what music goes onto their iPod.
"I expect Apple's more immediate and ongoing response to be technological, like with Playfair. Apple issues an iTunes update that disables Playfair and then the DRM-cracking software is updated in response. That could be the model for the eventual ongoing situation between Apple and Real," commented Jupiter Senior analyst Joe Wilcox.
Wilcox continued, "Apple's response should surprise no one. Real approached Apple on friendly terms and was rejected. So Real sought to solve the interoperability problem on its own. What seems to be missed here is that there is interoperability, through MP3. Consumers can buy songs from any music store, burn to CD and rip to MP3, which will play on the majority of music players, including iPod."
In related news Apple has let loose the forth generation iPod which features the "Click Wheel" first seen in the iPod Mini, longer battery life and a thinner profile.
Is that Apple doesn't open their code up to licencing more. There are TONS of cool music servers I'd like to use in my household but cannot since Apple won't license anything. Airport Express is neat, but it lacks a remote control and LCD interface to make it more a true "music server". I want a box that I can plug in to my stereo and interface with like any stereo device. I want to use Linksys's new wifi "boombox" devices in all my rooms, but I cannot...with my Apple content. This sucks. This encourages piracy. Vendors are responsible for their own pilfering by limiting the usage. Makes no sense. Jobs? Wake the $#!$ up! If they would just open up things like HYMN wouldn't have to exist.
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Why screw with "WiFi boomboxes" when you can just plug a radio transmitter into your PC output and use any radio dialed into the station its broadcasting on.
Works like a charm for me!
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FM radio transmission limits dynamic range. But if you're already into MP3's, fidelity is probably not your prime concern.
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When will these tarts clue in that no one likes Draconian Rights Mangling technology?
If it uses DRM I WILL NOT BUY IT.
Yes, it is that simple. DRM is more UNAmerican than UNConstitutional gun registration- and restrictions.
We already have laws against illicit content use and distribution. I don't appreciate having a bit forced in my mouth, nor will I appreciate DRM thought regulation vchips implanted in my scalp to watch TV. Sure a little extreme, but I don't like extreme draconia
I'm not surprised others want nothing to do with "real" and their malware applications.
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this is the exact same thing as the IM wars but instead of MSN, Yahoo, AOL and Trillian, now we've got Real and Apple.
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I don't know if I agree with Apple's possible use of DMCA, but Apple, and not Real, is responsible for supporting iPod customers. If Apple decides not to support Real's format, there is really little Real can do other than whine.
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turns out there is something they can do.
they can make the software to solve the problem.
turns out they did.
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