'DVD Jon', or Jon Lech Johansen, is one of the most famous hackers in recent history, claiming the DVD encoding and Apple's FairPlay DRM as two of his highest profile encryption victims.  His experience cracking these formats caught the eyes of DoubleTwist Ventures whose goal seems very pro-user -- to allow consumers to transfer media from any device to any other device unhindered.

With Mr. Johansen's help, DoubleTwist developed a desktop client named DoubleTwist Beta that allows music and media to be shared between a large list of players, regardless of the encryption scheme on the files involved.  It also allows files to be shared over social networking sites via tie-in applications.

DoubleTwist founder and CEO Monique Farantzos argues that the device frees the consumer.  She says media files should be more like email -- it shouldn't matter the service you create the file in or the type of file, or the hardware, all files should work together seamlessly.  She worked with Mr. Johansen and about 10 others to develop the software during the past eight months. 

The 20-something Mr. Johansen is pleased that DoubleTwist recruited him as he feels that it’s an opportunity to bring his success to a wider audience.  He says, "It's one opportunity to write something for your Web site for use by a couple thousand geeks," and he goes on to explain how DoubleTwist is different stating, "The goal is to make something your parents can use."

When you plug in an iPod, Zune, or other player, the client automatically recognizes your files and lets you drag them onto your computer, or drag them onto other players, by bypassing the local protection schemes.  You can also add files stored on your hard drive onto players, or back up files from your player onto your hard drive.  The system means that files bought on iTunes are freed from Apple's control and can be copied to virtually any device.  The client automatically rerecords iTunes files which you legal own into mp3 format (it will not touch files you don't legally own).  The client is also compatible with many phones.

Better yet, the client interfaces with Facebook via a Facebook Application named TwistMe, and lets you share files with users you've befriended.  The Facebook application makes file-sharing as simple as a drag and drop, and once the direct transfer is complete, it will appear in your friend's desktop client. 

DoubleTwist has plans to interface its client with all major social networks, creating a new revolution in P2P.  It’s currently working on developing an interface for the OpenSocial platforms. 

Ms. Farantzos sees this capability as key, stating, "It closes the loop between the Web, devices, and the desktop."

She says the site isn't trying to target one brand of DRM, but rather DRM in general.  She says her company is simply following an industry wide trend evidenced by companies such as Amazon and SimplyAudiobooks, who have went DRM-free or partially DRM-free.  Ms. Farantzos states, "Digital media is dominated by two players, Windows Media and iTunes, and they each have their own agenda...we see ourselves as the Switzerland of digital media. We are format and device agnostic."

DoubleTwist expects a possible legal battle over the legality of its client and has retained high powered attorney Daralyn Durie of Keker & Van Nest LLP.  It's also backed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) a champion of online free speech and rights. 

Analysts think that Apple and Microsoft may remain mum on DoubleTwist to avoid bad publicity.  However, they point out that Mr. Johansen has had many past run-ins with copyright law and that if the client becomes popular enough Apple and others may feel compelled to take action.  Also DoubleTwist still has to watch out of the RIAA and MPAA.

For now though, users, especially Facebook users, can enjoy a revolutionary piece of software that both breaks down barriers and provides a unique P2P experience.