atmaspheric | endeavors

This is hardly a surprising move after Apple stiffed Real with the lack of unity on support for AAC, but amazing as well…

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple Computer Inc. said the company is “stunned” at a move by RealNetworks Inc. to distribute software that lets customers play music from Real’s song download store on Apple’s iPod.

Apple said it is investigating the implications of RealNetworks’ actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and other laws.

The company said it was “stunned that RealNetworks has adopted the tactics and ethics of a hacker to break into the iPod.”

Apple said it is highly likely that Real’s Harmony technology will cease to work with current and future iPods when the company updates the music player’s software. [The New York Times]