Slashdot Mirror
Open Source, Real Media Mega-player?
chill writes "CNN is reporting "RealNetworks on Monday will unveil a new open source version of its streaming media software that supports multiple file formats for audio and video, including those that use Microsoft's Windows Media technology." and "RealNetworks did not formally license the ability to offer Windows Media software, but instead re-created the technology based on data streams sent between the server and player software, The New York Times reported. A Microsoft representative told the newspaper that the company would need to determine whether RealNetworks licensed the software before taking action. " I can't wait to see the actual license." Update: 07/22 19:10 GMT by T : The software can be downloaded from the Helix site, if you're interested.
Ok, so they supposedly reverse engineered the MS protocol, then? It surely sounds like they did. The article says they are offering the client source immediately, and then the server source in a few months. Maybe they're waiting to deal with MS first.
Moderation: Put your hand inside the puppet head!
Since the DCMA has provisions disallowing reverse engineering, might MS sue Real under the DCMA? Could we have a DCMA showdown between the two companies? Might prove interesting.
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
Does this mean that Streambox will be able to resume development of the Streambox Ripper?