[Infowarrior] - Apple claims no DRM protection on Shuffle controls

[Richard Forno]

Either way, AAPL could use this as leverage over third party vendors  
either via DMCA or its MFI licensing program.  Still a sledgehammer in  
the hands of a giant who says "trust me I won't hit you with it."   
Riiiight.


Apple claims no DRM protection on Shuffle controls

http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/09/03/16/apple.refutes.drm.claims/

Apple has refuted recent claims that the new iPod shuffle integrates  
DRM technology to prevent third-party companies from making compatible  
products without paying fees. iLounge and the Electronic Frontier  
Foundation noted the presence of a chip behind the buttons on the in- 
line controls, leading to the presumption that the component provided  
authentication for the signal.

The EFF argued that an authentication chip would serve as a method to  
prevent third-party companies from reverse engineering the technology.  
The report described a potential "nightmare scenario" where Apple  
controlled all aspects of iPods and accessories, using DRM and the  
DMCA laws to drive profits.

Apple provided more details of the system to Boing Boing, claiming  
that there is no encryption on the "control chip", which would leave  
the door open for third-party manufacturers to produce clones. The  
company has a licensing option, however, that offers to sell  
developers the chip and microphone in a bundle, as part of the Made  
for iPod program.

It remains unclear if the manufacturers would be prohibited from using  
unlicensed parts in the Made for iPod accessories.