2008 Woodie Awards
Tech News
Arseny Lebedev
Issue date: 2/16/07 Section: Campus News
- Page 1 of 1
Blu-Ray's and HD-DVD's encryption scheme was broken (again) recently using a more universal method. Previously a cracker, Muslix64, extracted data from each disk, while the new cracker, Amezami, obtains data from the high definition (HD) player. The extracted code is important because the same program is used for every player. This new development hopefully means that third party HD software can be developed. The original encryption HD software, a form of Digital Rights Management DRM, took years to design and implement and only a few days to break.
In other DRM news, Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO wrote an essay on Apple's website about a desire for Apple to move away from DRM in iTunes. Now EMI has considered removing the obstacle software from its entire catalog. Yahoo and Monster Cable have moved towards removing similar constraints. However, Jobs, who initiated anti-DRM awareness is not taking steps to actually remove Apple's "Fairplay" software from iTunes. Previously, Apple relies on its global market domination in portable media players to fuel the iTunes Music Store's success. Perhaps Jobs knows that its online store is established enough, where this move will keep it ahead of the curve.
In other DRM news, Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO wrote an essay on Apple's website about a desire for Apple to move away from DRM in iTunes. Now EMI has considered removing the obstacle software from its entire catalog. Yahoo and Monster Cable have moved towards removing similar constraints. However, Jobs, who initiated anti-DRM awareness is not taking steps to actually remove Apple's "Fairplay" software from iTunes. Previously, Apple relies on its global market domination in portable media players to fuel the iTunes Music Store's success. Perhaps Jobs knows that its online store is established enough, where this move will keep it ahead of the curve.