Apple: Ready to License Out FairPlay?

According to tech.co.uk, Apple might consider to license out FairPlay to third-parties but under quite strict conditions, and mostly aiming to make it easier for other companies to produce devices able of playing FairPlay-protected files. It would be dedicated to:
- USB devices, allowing them to stream FairPlay-protected audio. Currently, this is only possible via the Airport Express and the forthcoming Apple TV station.
- License out FairPlay to other companies manufacturing devices able to play DRM-protected music tracks, but not aiming to compete directly with Apple products. Such companies might be Netgear, D-Link, and those developing peripherals for the iPods and already enrolled on a business agreement with Apple for the "Made for iPod" label.
Why is this information coming today? Well one can imagine that it follows the recent introduction by Netgear of a digital box, the EVA8000 capable of streaming HD and protected music from iTunes for Windows only! Not clear how Netgear can do that... either they got a special agreement with Apple but did not want to talk about it till Steve does it, or they have been using DVDJon's hacking solution to be able to play FairPlay-protected tracks.
This rumor about Apple opening FairPlay to third-parties appears the same day than the launch of the 105th NAMM Show, the giant musical instrument trade show where Apple is present.
This potential initiative from Apple could also be the perfect way to stop on-going legal actions in Europe against DRM-protected music tracks, as Apple might claim that third-parties have now the possibility to buy a license to get their devices compatible with iTS protection system.
Last but not least, ADSL ISP in Europe with their own Video-on-Demand offers might be interested to get a FairPlay licensing agreement with Apple, as they could keep selling video from their own stores, but users will then gain the possibility to play those video files on their computers via iTunes.