iTunes copy protection cracked

A hacker known for cracking copy-protection technology in DVDs claims to have unlocked the playback restrictions of Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod and iTunes music products and plans to license his code to others.

The move by Jon Lech Johansen, also known as "DVD Jon," could pit the 22-year-old against Apple's lawyers, experts say, but if successful could free users from some restrictions Apple and its rivals place on digital music.

FairPlay is the digital rights management system that restricts songs downloaded from Apple's iTunes store to being played on iPods and not other portable music players. It is also designed to prevent music downloaded from other online stores from being played on iPods.

Songs purchased from Apple's online iTunes Music Store can't be played on devices made by other companies. Songs purchased from many other online music stores also won't work on iPods because they similarly use a form of copy protection that Apple doesn't support.

Johansen said he has developed a way to get around those restrictions. But unlike his previous work, which he usually posts free of charge, the Norway native plans to capitalize on his efforts through his Redwood Shores, Calif.-based DoubleTwist Ventures.

Apple is not a company known for being shy about taking legal action to protect its intellectual property. However, since the reports about DVD Jon and his activities, the company has remained strangely silent.