LaCie DVD Enabler Roadblock

Andre Graves reports receiving the following response from LaCie when inquiring about an enabler that would make the company's external DVD burners compatible with applications like iDVD:

"Thanks for contacting LaCie Technical Support. No, we will not be producing such an extension without Apple's permission. This extension would put us on shaky legal ground since it circumvents Apple's security on its software. Since Apple pays MPEG2 fees for every DVD device it sells (rather than on the software), they hobble it not to work unless if sees an original built-in drive. By circumventing this and using the software without an original internal drive, the proper licensing fees have not been paid."