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View Full Version : Anotehr kick in the teeth for DRM, at the hands of M$ ?



Hands0n
8th November 2006, 07:37 AM
Yet again DRM has been cracked, and patched, and just waiting to be cracked again. Isn't this DRM lark just a [eventually futile] quest for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. If it can be encoded, then it can be cracked. Unless DRM is going to be accompanied with specific hardware devices.

I've used Sky's broadband movie service and its okay really. I quite like the notion of being able to bring these down for viewing in my own time. They are time-limited which is a bit of a bore 'cos once they're gone, they're gone, unless Sky decide to put them up again. Also the hassle of viewing on a PC rather than the main paraphenalia in the lounge is a bit limiting, and so does not get that much use.

It has not interested me to crack the DRM and rip these to DVD - although the appeal is no doubt going to be there for some. It is also a dream for those who want to RIP such high quality content free of charge.

So what do Sky and Microsoft do then? Give up publishing content altogether, or seek a different model that is equitable to them and acceptable and supported by its buying clientelle? Because DRM in its current form is nasty, limiting, and does not match the real-world model where once you buy something you truly can use it how you like and on what you like (i.e. none of my DVD collection is keyed to a single DVD player!).



Sky staff brandish ukeleles

Sky staff have been venting their frustration after a lengthy wait for Microsoft to patch the flaw in its digital rights management (DRM) software, which led to the suspension of Sky By Broadband for many weeks.

As a precaution BSkyB had suspended its movie download service on 31st August after Microsoft's DRM software - which is supposed to protect movies from being copied - had been cracked.

Microsoft patched the software only to be hit by another security loophole. As a result BSkyB suspended its download movie service. For many weeks the service was unavailable to customers while Microsoft worked on yet another patch.

The Sky By Broadband "free" service is exclusive to Sky Movie subscribers and provides popular media content including football clips and Hollywood movies.

According to a BSkyB spokesperson “the service was reinstated at the start of October after consultation with Microsoft and with content partners." You might have been forgiven for missing the restart.

Either way, it seems that the DRM debacle has left a bad taste in the mouth at Sky headquarters. One anonymous source who claims to work for Sky emailed El Reg and said “we at Sky are FURIOUS with MS's ‘look we'll get a patch to you in a few weeks’ attitude. It sucks.”

He also sent in this alternative take on the George Formby ukelele classic When I’m Cleaning Windows, the source explained it’s “a song penned by someone at Sky and mailed round in frustration at MS, the studios and the other download services ...”

"Now I go ripping content to my hearts content

It's easy for a teenager with a technical bent

Now it's a hobby that suits me

If a Windows user I must be

Then I will take what I want for free

When I'm creaming Windows

Even older people too can take stuff just like me and you

Cos Fairuse makes it easy to just steal stuff from Windows

You don't need a hacker's kit Just download stuff bit by bit

Then give it any almighty rip With Fairuse for Windows

Cos this hacking isn't hard I will never stop I'll rip any content

And fill my hard-drive to the top

These movies they just look divine

But why pay through the nose each time

When two clicks makes it yours or mine

With Fairuse for Windows

Now Steve Jobs he should lose the grin

There's a version that's coming

That makes light work of DRM On Macs - just like on Windows

Cos this hacking isn't hard I will never stop I'll rip any content

And fill my hard-drive to the top

Now there's this famous Napster mob

Whose music service costs a bob

Let's hope they don't all lose their jobs

Cos' Fairuse has ****ed Windows

Broadband gives me access to

Every tune and movie too

And I can give it all to you

Thanks Fairuse for Windows!

Turned out Shite again!"

To which we can only add, er, that's all folks.®


Article Source: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/07/drm_sky_movies/