Apple’s misery with PyMusique is back online
March 23rd, 2005 Leave a comment Visited 448 times, 1 so far today
Apple’s misery with PyMusique is back online
This looks like the beginning of another battle similar to the one between the Instant Messaging giants and third party applications. AOL AIM and Yahoo! have a long history of trying to disable applications like Trillian and Gaim from accessing their network of messaging by constantly updating their protocols. Similarly, a new battle is emerging between the digital music store Apple iTunes and a group of programmers led by DVD Jon.
The war this time is based on digital rights management (DRM) restrictions Apple put on the songs purchased from their online store. These limitations mean that Linux users are unable to purchase songs from that store hence restricting the freedom an iPod owner has who is running Linux. This led to DVD Jon and a few friends developing an application they call PyMusique, which lets user ‘purchase’ songs from the same store, but are downloaded without any DRM encryption.
Apple responded fast by releasing an update of their iTunes application used to purchase the songs from iTunes. This meant many users had to update their software before they could buy new songs from the store. However, their peace was short-lived as the developers have again found a way around it and released an update for the Linux users.
This means PyMusique is back and allows the users to continue buy songs stripped of the DRM protection. This might become a nuisance for Apple and their customers if they have to update their encryption technology repeatedly, and asking the users to upgrade their software. Apple has yet not taken the route of the courts to sue the developers. This latest news might make them rethink their strategies.
On the other hand, the developers of PyMusique told a leading online news network CNet: “The work I do is completely legal in my country. Of course, I know very well that not doing anything illegal doesn’t mean you won’t be prosecuted (or) sued.” Their basic logic behind their actions is that Apple is not allowing Linux users to purchase songs from iTunes and they have a right to let them do so…
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Come on! What these nice programmers have done is DEFINATELY NOT stealing. The music is still bought from the Itunes shop - but when the DRM is not added to the music, it can be played on any player/device of choice - including Linux computers, non-Apple portable MP3 players, network music devices and others. Why should Apple decide what players or software I should use for the music I have paid for? If I want to use a fancier network player than Airtunes, then why should I be hindered? The music has been paid for. What happens with my vast music library of Itunes DRM protected files if Apple is out of business in five years? Or what if new technology or standards take over from the AAC-Fairplay DRM system Apple uses today? That could render the music which was bought and paid for unplayable! DRM technology that couples music files to specific hardware should be avoided- but most big players in the market including Apple and Microsoft use technologies that do just that - locks the music the customers have paid for to specific hard and software. This is bad for the consumer and for the businesses.
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LikeApple has a right to keep it's system from compromise, and there are well established public key protocols that could achieve what they want. Unfortunately they chose a scheme that can be compromised.
It's difficult to legislate against, but morally it's wrong to steal music for pleasure. Luckily as people get older they tend to get more honest.
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LikeI didn't like having to update my iTunes just for a few hackers to have thier fun. I think its wrong --what hackers are doing-- , because it messes up a ton of normal people not involved.
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Like"apple�s responsibility to provide a fix" Well, there they have it, if they want to 'take the wind out of the sails' of the DVD guys, then provide a fix! I guess they have some problem with that though??
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Likethe DVD guys are the Linux Guys. They made it for themselves and released it to the public. :)
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LikeLinux users not being able to download itunes, is a matter between apple and Linux users. Its apple's responsibility to provide a fix and not the DVD guys. So I think that DVD guys should back out.
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