SAN JOSE, CA (AP) - The Norwegian hacker famed for developing DVD encryption-cracking software has apparently struck again -- this time breaking the locks on Apple Computer's wireless music-streaming technology.

Jon Lech Johansen released on his website -- defiantly named So Sue Me -- a software key that helps unlock the encryption Apple uses for its AirPort Express, a device that lets users broadcast digital music from Apple's online iTunes Music Store on a stereo that's not plugged into a computer.

Some security consultants say with the key and another program he released, Johansen, also known as "DVD Jon", has helped pave the way for other software applications than Apple's iTunes to work with AirPort Express.

Johansen, an open source advocate, has been critical of Apple's proprietary system, which largely restricts Apple's hardware and software products to work only with each other.

On his website, for instance, Johansen praised a newly developed technology by RealNetworks that will make songs from its online music service compatible with the market-dominating Apple iPod portable music player.

Johansen's latest endeavors, which he posted Wednesday, mark the third time he's circumvented Apple's music copy-protection technologies this year.

Apple officials did not immediately return calls for comment Thursday.

Johansen, now 20, was 15 years old when he posted software on the Internet that unlocked the codes the film industry used on DVD movies to prevent illegal copying. The act made Johansen a folk hero among hackers.

After the film industry complained, Norwegian authorities charged him with data break-in, but Johansen was acquitted at trial and on appeal.