PyMusique

[NightFire]

For those iTunes users in here, DVD Jon has released PyMusique, which acts essentialy like iTunes except that you don't get your files slapped with a DRM after you download them, and you can redownload songs you've already bought.

Download link at: http://fuware.nanocrew.net/pymusique/

Here's some discussion on it: http://www.corante.com/copyfight/archives/2005/03/17/johansen_creates_drmfree_interface_to_itunes.php

And on Slashdot:
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/03/18/1324235&tid=141&tid=3

[einstein_314]

Is this little program actually legal?!? I'm pretty sure that Apple will crack down on this one. So it basically just bypasses the protection on the songs so you can distribute them freely?

[gram_vaz]

i do believe it's illegal. oh sure, there's the talk about everyone having a right to do backups, but... right. this guy 'dvd jon' was the one responsible for cracking dvd's too i believe hence his name.

[einstein_314]

haha, I was right.
Apple has closed a security hole that allowed an underground program to tap into its iTunes Music Store and purchase songs stripped of anti-piracy protections.

The PyMusique software, created by a trio of independent programmers online, emerged last week as a copy protection-free back door into the popular iTunes store. One of the creators was Jon Johansen, the Norwegian programmer responsible for releasing DVD-copying software in 1999 and known as 'DVD Jon'.

Busted.

http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39128896,00.htm

[Shamrock]

NOT BUSTED! ;)

http://news.com.com/DVD+Jon+reopens+iTunes+back+door/2100-1027_3-5630703.html

and NO, it is NOT illegal. It is no different than Gaim, or Trillian using the protocols to send IMs. This program is written from scratch, it is not a modified version of iTunes. Hence legal (and why Apple closed the hole instead of suing DVD Jon). This program just doesnt deliver all the expected "features" of iTunes. Kinda like Gaim not being able to make you invisible :p

[Rakeesh]

In the USA and in some parts of the EU it is illegal solely due to the fact that it circumvents the digital locks. However, it is not illegal in the country of this "DVD Jon" guy. Theres pretty much nothing to stop you from downloading this software from a server in his country, and it isn't illegal for you to link to it either. That effectively makes it like a law that says its illegal to spit on the sidewalk.

Busted.

http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39128896,00.htm

Apple is going to be playing a never ending game of cat and mouse here. I've seen this before in other areas of content restriction since long before itunes came around and it has always been the same story. The fact of the matter is that in order to encrypt each individual song well enough that it is even remotely secure from casual copying as well as containing a unique private/public key set, Apple will have to expend far more processing time than they even have the resources for.

The only way Apple can feasibly DRM these files is by making the end user's computer perform the task of encrypting them. Therein lies the weakness which will always be exploitable. There will always be some point in the program execution that the data containing the plaintext version of the audio file can be intercepted.

The best Apple can try to do is obfuscate the hell out of their communications protocols, which is all they basically did with their last "upgrade." Needless to say that only works to an extent, and eventually somebody who is determined enough will reverse engineer their code. I have seen a few times where after a while the company finally just says "**** it."

If you ever pay attention to the digital underground you'd know exactly what I mean. Also, for what it's worth DVD Jon had a workaround for Apples latest fix a few hours before they were even able to distribute their new upgrade.

[gram_vaz]

why would anyone even want to use this crack on itunes? if ur the sort of guy that's going to use cracks on itunes why not just avoid the hassle and download the mp3's u want from p2p software or torrent site?

[netviper13]

why would anyone even want to use this crack on itunes? if ur the sort of guy that's going to use cracks on itunes why not just avoid the hassle and download the mp3's u want from p2p software or torrent site?

Because some of us like to purchase our music and then have full control over how we use it.

I, for instance, use a program called JHymn to strip the DRM from songs I buy from the ITMS. I don't do this so I can share them with everyone over Limewire, hell I don't even convert them to MP3, I just like knowing that I have full access to my music whenever and wherever I want it.