July 31, 2004

Apple said they are "stunned", and accused their competitor RealNetworks of hacking into the iPod, in a statement.

Apple was responding to recent news that RealNetworks released software that allows iPod users to download music from the RealPlayer online music store.

Apple said they will investigate the implications of
RealNetworks' actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and other laws.

"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," said Apple in a statement.

RealNetworks remains committed to allowing iPod users purchase and download tunes from their music store.

"We remain fully committed to Harmony and to giving millions of consumers who own portable music devices, including the Apple iPod, choice and compatibility," said a RealNetworks press release.

Both Apple and RealNetworks offer US consumers the ability to purchase single songs online for 99 cents per download.