News

Microsoft Confirms PlaysForSure Crack

By the Betanews Staff | Published August 30, 2006, 11:30 AM

Microsoft conceded Wednesday that the latest version of its Windows Media digital rights management had indeed been cracked, and said it is working on a patch to prevent customers from using the FairUse4WM program to strip the copyright protection from downloaded songs. The program was made with the intention to allow users to listen to downloaded songs on any music player, including the Apple iPod, once they were converted to a compatible format.

While some made a big deal out of the latest move by hackers to strip DRM from protected music, many analysts said the impact was minimal as most users probably wouldn't bother to download the program. "If there is a lesson here, it's that no matter how good you make the lock, someone's going to try and pick it," JupiterResearch analyst Michael Gartenberg said.

Comments

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RingMaster
Aug 31, 2006 - 5:44 PM

If you "buy" songs online, there shouldn't be any DRM, otherwise these songs aren't really yours. Once you buy a song, you should be able to convert it as you please.

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tipsyboy
Aug 31, 2006 - 8:30 AM

"FairUse4WM will extract the personally identifiable information (description keys) from Media Player..."

That alone is justification enough.

Or are they going to print out cashier receipts with your name, address, birth date, social security number, your medical records and all the rest of your privacy, when you go shopping?

Or what?!

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GCoder
Aug 30, 2006 - 3:12 PM

Patch it again MS...

Cr4ck 1t 4g41n h4ck20r2...

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cory1492
Aug 30, 2006 - 1:25 PM

"If there is a lesson here, it's that no matter how many ways you try and make people pay repeatedly for the same thing, those who own something have the right to own it even after a windows reinstall"
:-P

BTW, there is another one I hear alot:
"Locks are to keep honest people honest." (and to keep dishonest making money?)

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dzjepp
Aug 30, 2006 - 12:54 PM

"If there is a lesson here, it's that no matter how good you make the lock, someone's going to try and pick it,"

Yep, and it applies here as well. 2 weeks after ms releases this patch, the hackers will release their own update to the crack.

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