Hacker Cracks Apple's Streaming Technology

Jon Lech Johansen released on his Web site -- defiantly named "So Sue Me" -- a software key that helps to unlock the encryption Apple uses for its AirPort Express, a device that lets users broadcast digital music from Apple's online iTunes Music Store on a stereo that's not plugged into a computer.

Some security consultants say that with the key and another program he released, Johansen, also known as DVD Jon, has helped pave the way for other software applications other than Apple iTunes to work with AirPort Express.

Johansen, an open-source advocate, has been critical of Apple's proprietary system, which largely restricts Apple's hardware and software products to work only with each other.

On his Web site, for instance, Johansen praised a newly developed technology by RealNetworks that will make songs from its online music service compatible with the market-dominating Apple iPod portable music player.

Johansen's latest endeavors, which he posted Wednesday, mark the third instance he's circumvented Apple's music copy-protection technologies this year.

Apple officials did not immediately return calls for comment Thursday.

Johansen, now 20, was 15 when he posted on the Internet software that unlocked the codes the film industry used on DVD movies to prevent illegal copying. The act made Johansen a folk hero among hackers.

After the film industry complained, Norwegian authorities charged him with data break-in, but Johansen was acquitted at trial and on appeal.

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