[Zak]

License under what legal theory? It doesn't seem like a fairly ordinary plug would meet the standards for either patent or copyright.

[hop]

I don't know, but there is a reason no other manufacturers use it. And its a massive legal and due diligence process to get into the Made for iPod program which gives you all the specs and supplies the connectors, along with charging royalties.

http://developer.apple.com/programs/mfi