Apple has responded to Real Networks' announcement earlier this week that their new Harmony system will output tracks in the AAC file format played by the iPod.
Currently Apple's own iTunes is the only download platform that supplies tracks in the AAC form. Real's new technology aims to break down the system where customers with a specific digital music player are tied to specific download platforms (ie the one run or approved by the player's manufacturer) by outputting tracks in whatever format the customer needs. However Apple turned down Real's offer to be involved in the project, so Harmony outputs tracks in an unauthorised version of AAC which, although works fine on iPods, isn't approved by Apple.
Although Harmony arguably makes iPods more user friendly, Apple aren't very impressed with the way Real has gone about including the facility to output AAC files. In a statement issued yesterday the company said: "We are stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod. We are investigating the implications of their actions under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and other laws".
In addition to legal threats, Apple implied they would take technical measures to ensure the AAC files outputted from Harmony do not work in all iPods: "We strongly caution Real and their customers that when we update our iPod software from time to time it is highly likely that Real's Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods".
Real argue that they used publicly available information to develop their version of the AAC codec, and haven't done anything underhand. Real boss Rob Glaser told reporters this week: "We have excellent lawyers and they assure me that we are 100% within all of the legal precedents and the letter and spirit of all laws".