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Skype Protocol Has Been Cracked

nsrCZ writes "The Skype core protocol has been reverse-engineered by a Chinese company. The interesting thing is, that although the protocol is closed, it is not patented and thus it is not against the law to crack it. If it's true, then it could affect the whole eBay/Skype business in many ways, including that they might not get their piece of the emerging Chinese cake." From the article: "By cracking the Skype protocol, the company claims it can also block Skype voice traffic, Paglee said. 'They could literally turn the lights off on Skype in China very, very quickly,' said Paglee, who is also a lawyer and engineer, speaking from California on Friday. The company could transfer the technology to the Chinese government, which has continually sought ways to tighten its filtering and control over the Internet. So far, the company doesn't have any plans to market its blocking capabilities, Paglee said."

13 of 279 comments (clear)

  1. In His Apartment Earlier by neonprimetime · · Score: 2, Funny

    Paglee details in his blog a call he received from the engineers using a rudimentary client. Part of the proof that the protocol had been cracked came when the engineers sent Paglee the IP address of his computer, information that normally would be encrypted during a Skype session.

    Little did he know they were in his apartment earlier in the day.

  2. It could indeed. by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny
    The company could transfer the technology to the Chinese government
    In other news, my front door could be unlocked with my house key, I could inhale the next time I need oxygen, and water could cause things it touches to become wet.
  3. Re:Tapping by j00r0m4nc3r · · Score: 1, Funny

    Pfft.. nobody would do something so dastardly..

  4. They renamed the protocol by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's now call Scrype terraphone and it love you long time

  5. Re:Open Source? by Macthorpe · · Score: 4, Funny

    So your solution to China cracking the protocol is to make it open-source.

    You are a genius.

    --
    "It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him." - Tolkien
  6. Re:Innovation by LittleBigLui · · Score: 2, Funny

    Exactly. Reverse engineering is theft! And Skype should have patented not only their protocol but also talking itself!

    --
    Free as in mason.
  7. NSA congratulates Paglee by kanweg · · Score: 4, Funny

    on being second.

    Bert

  8. Literally by RPoet · · Score: 5, Funny
    They could literally turn the lights off on Skype in China very, very quickly

    No, they could metaphorically turn the lights off on Skype in China very, very quickly.
    --
    "Oppression and harassment is a small price to pay to live in the land of the free." -- Montgomery Burns.
  9. Re:Tapping by x-vere · · Score: 2, Funny

    Burn!

    --
    One day the toilets of the world will rise up... And I'm going to nuke them.
  10. Re:Innovation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    I love how the Chinese innovate. Corporate espionage, reverse engineering and overall IP infringement...Skype should have patented its technology, but it's not like the Chinese respect IP anyway.


    Yeah, they should follow the US model:

    1) Patent idea for something obvious and do nothing else...
    2) Wait.
    3) Wait..
    4) Wait...
    5) Find out someone actually implementing something tangible and useful that might be based on similar idea ...
    5) SUE!!
    6) PROFIT!!!!

    Now that's real Yankee innovation.

  11. Re:Innovation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Obviousry evely asprect of China mreets your croncise descliption.

    Fixed.

  12. Re:Innovation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Because the US respected all the British IP in its early days.

    Jeez, when will you guys get it?

    Like information, MUTTON CHOPS WANT TO BE FREE

  13. Re:Innovation by spyrochaete · · Score: 3, Funny

    That General Tso sure makes some delicious chicken! How's that for starters?