Johansen is often known as DVD Jon because when just
15-years-old he shot to fame by cracking the CSS (Content
Scrambling System) protection on commercial DVDs. The young
Norwegian was charged with data break-in but was acquitted.
Apple has built its iTunes music software and iPod music players
to work together. Tunes purchased on iTunes can only be played on
computers or iPods.
Johansens's company, DoubeTwist Ventures, based in the US, said
that Johansen had reverse engineered Apple's FairPlay digital
rights management (DRM) system.
Where Johansen has previously made his technology available for
free, the company said that it would sell it this time, charging a
fee for allowing companies to ensure that their material works on
the market-leading iPods.
Apple's close tie up of its music service and its device has
been the source of action in Europe. The French parliament voted
for a law insisting on interoperability, which would mean music
services would have to be compatible with all devices, though the
bill did not become law.
The consumer ombudsmen of Norway, Sweden and Denmark are still
investigating Apple over the DRM and interoperability issues.
Though Apple missed one deadline for co-operation with the
Norwegian authorities, the company has since been in contact with
the ombudsmen.
Apple's technology has been cracked before. RealNetworks has
circumvented FairPlay, but often the next Apple software release
ensures that FairPlay works again.
Johansen has reportedly also broken encryption and DRM
technology for Windows Media Player, Google Video and Apple's
wireless Airport system.
