Microsoft Corp. has sued an anonymous computer hacker whose free program allows users to copy digital movies and songs by bypassing a software protection built into the company’s Media player.
The world’s biggest software maker charges the hacker known as “Viodentia” has illegally obtained propriety source code to produce the program called FairUse4WM, sparking fears it could enable consumers to illegally copy digital content.
The program’s name is a reference to legal rulings in which courts recognize “fair use” as the ability for consumers to copy recordings for personal use. Some consumer advocates argue that the digital media industry is ignoring that right in its attempt to stop illegal duplication.
No kidding!
The lawsuit marks the company’s latest attempt to stop the programmer, who has repeatedly released updates to the program in response to Microsoft patches aimed at stopping the tool that strips away digital management rights code.
But a person using the identity Viodentia said in a Web posting the program has never involved Microsoft source code. The programmer also said in an online interview with Engadget that the lawsuit was a “fishing expedition to get identity information” in a bid to bring more lawsuits.
So, if the courts find in Microsoft’s favor — they can collect “anonymous” dollars?
History will look back at this decade as the People -vs- The Corps era.
Some of the better, unhackable DRM’s, involve a simple trick. Degradation. Randomly degrade the content so someone trying to reverse engineer the DRM can’t get consistent data.
Since the consumer wants to see black, and not 62,000 shades of purple, they can’t degrade too much. So the DRM becomes hackable.
– nostalgia –
I remember converting music CD’s in MP2 format and playing them in Win95. How excited I was cramming 50+ songs on a CD.
I was ten years ahead of the times.
Today, I don’t bother with ripping. I buy through AllOfMp3.com. According to some people, they pay better royalties to the song artists than the ‘other’ MP3 online DRM’ed services.
– the future –
My new setup will be a Sony XBR 46″, Sony amp + Sony DVD + a small form factor PC with 500gHD running Linux Ubuntu w/wireless mouse+keyboard+internet.
Online content + my own created content. For less than 5k US$.
Oh, and the cable co HD box with HD, for the DRM stuff…and YTV / Space.
One remote to rule them all !
Just say analog.
My new setup will be a Sony
Friends don’t let friends buy Sony.
Please do your part and encourage them to go out of business ASAP.
My new setup will be a Sony
Friends don’t let friends buy Sony.
Please do your part and encourage them to go out of business ASAP.
Mark D, did you get that?
Sony = trouble.
Don’t do it, buy JVC, or Pioneer, or Phillips. Just stay away from Sony, for your own good.
I ok the Sony XBR. (I have an 36″XBR myself…it was free though!)
As for the rest, get Marantz/Denon or Rotel. And for a remote, Harmony 880 or 1000.
How did this comment section turn from DRM stipping to Home Theatre setup?!
If this guy really didn’t use the souce code, then it is true M$ is just using this to make a scare.
What we need to do is have a third party DRM a bunch of content that no longer falls under copyright. Then it should be perfectly legal to create and distribute the tools to remove the DRM on such content.
Good points on the Sony stuff.
Haven’t bought anything yet, just planning.
Planning on getting a system that won’t have everyone asking me How Does It Work?
Some of the home theatre setups come with ugly, misplaced buttons on the remotes. Sony makes great remotes and totally integrates their products for ease-of-use.
Isn’t the Sony that makes TV’s and home theatre electronics a totally different beast than Sony Music Inc? Separate presidents, etc.
I have boycotted buying any media from Sony so far….
#7 Fear the Sony, fear it like the last lords of creation.
As far as MS DRM schemes go. Fear those too, they are designed to squeeze every last dollar (not penny) out of your bank account. Some day these DRM idiots will get a clue instead of glue as to how to distribute their content. This will most probably need to begin with the content creators themselves using the distribution tools available to them now instead of using the established cartels who drain the profit potential, while creating nothing but end user troubles and ill will..
History tends to repeat itself. This is like the ‘dark ages’ of digital media where a chosen few ‘kings and lords’ try to control everything by force. I’ll be hoping for a ‘renaissance’ soon.
All this digital rights stuff is really annoying!
Real sandbox mentality.