“DVD Jon” looking to hire Apple DRM-hackers?
Posted by Dr. Macenstein
DVD Jon is arguably the movie industry’s least favorite hacker, having gained infamy a few years back for cracking the copy-protection on commercial DVDs. While the young Norwegian has been keeping a relatively low profile as of late, it would appear he is ready to stir things up again, and this time, it looks like he’s set his sights on the treasures held within Apple’s iTunes store.
On his personal blog, Jon has posted a couple of want ads for his company DoubleTwist Ventures. The company is seeking a “Reverse Engineering Monkey” who is interested in “breaking down proprietary barriers and empowering consumers” and who has “experience with current digital audio/video technology (MPEG4, H264 and AAC).”
It could just be us, but that sure reads like a recipe for Apple DRM hacking to us!
Steve Jobs’ recent letter to the record industry calling for the end of DRM pointed to the seemingly endless and costly battle being fought by digital content providers to try to come up with new and more robust DRM schemes to thwart hackers such as Jon.
The Job Opening description is as follows:
If breaking down proprietary barriers and empowering consumers sounds like your cup of tea, send us your résumé. If you know of someone who might be interested, please forward this to them.
Opening: Reverse Engineering Monkey
We’re looking for a code monkey to work on our DRM interoperability technology. Must possess strong skills in the areas of cryptography, reverse engineering, AJAX, code disassembly, code protection/obfuscation and software optimization. Experience domesticating penguins and eating apples is a plus.
Required skills include C, C++, x86 ASM, DRM and Windows APIs. Strong mathematical knowledge of algorithm analysis and implementation is desired. Minimum of 3 years of directly related experience.
Your favorite number is 0x90.
Location: Antarctica or your home country.
Opening: Senior Software Monkey
We’re looking for a senior code monkey to work on our audio/video products. Must have strong experience designing, implementing, debugging and optimizing userland applications. Multi-platform experience is desired.
Required skills include C, C++, C# and Windows APIs. Requirements include strong experience with current digital audio/video technology (MPEG4, H264 and AAC). Minimum of 5 years of directly related experience.
Location: San Francisco or Norway.
Thanks to faithful Macenstein reader Booya! for the tip.
seems like Antarctica might be the smarter location, I think you can still get in trouble in Norway for breaking DRM.
At least there’s less chance of being shot in Norway.
OH, do I love people that spend tons of time on something that is useless. 🙂
EMI announces the drop of DRM.
Apple announces that independents will have access to DRM free options.
iTunes 7.2 now supports DRM free music.
Hey guys, I know a horse and buggy whip shop that you can buy cheap. LOL
elder norm