It seems that a collaboration between multiple programmers has produced a linux interface for Itunes that can download unprotected songs. Jon Johansen was one the programmers in 2000 that produced a crack (DeCSS) for DVD copy protection. Johansen says that the new program, PyMusique, is aimed at providing a Linux based solution for the itunes interface. Users still need to establish an account and pay for their songs, but copy protection is ommitted within the download procedure. PyMusique (their Linux itunes software) saves the songs in unprotected ACC format, as opposed to the protected Fairplay format. Johansen, who worked in conjunction with a 17 year old from Pennsylvania, says that they found out about the crack accidentally. “The intent of the project was to be able to purchase files from the iTunes Music Store.” Whatever their intentions, legal action is assured to follow.
