Anatoly: My point is that DRM for WMV is pointless. It may never be cracked. If M$ have implemented it correctly, the only way of removing the DRM would be to write a very kludgy piece of software that ripped the data out of Media Player's buffer whilst it was playing the file on a machine that had a valid license.
Not an easy task in this day and age of memory protection, but possible nontheless. I'm sure this kind of tech will be ubiquitous when Vista is released so perhaps we will see a reduction of piracy.
I doubt it though. M$ have been developing various versions of windows for 10 years (Windows 3.1 and previous versions not included). Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP and 2003 were all pirated before day of release (if memory serves). For those it was applicable to, it was the Corporate version which was released as a copy, circumventing all of M$'s touted anti-piracy features in one fell swoop.
Even recently, with the introduction of Windows Genuine Advantage, they still haven't got it right. Windows Update still works if you deactivate the WGA ActiveX add-in.
As I see it, to kill piracy you'd need to have the following:
Worldwide adoption of IPv6.
Every individual connecting to the internet is issued a static address. Much like your SSN or NI number is unique to an individual, so should your internet address be.
Software requires internet connection to install and when hardware is changed.
Software would also have to communicate with an internal hardware module to ensure continued system integrity. M$ answer to this was the Palladium platform.
Of course, you would have to educate (brainwash) people into accepting such technology. Personally, I don't want it to happen. I want my computer to be doing only what I tell it and not checking up on me. If I want to run pirate software, I want my computer to let me. I'll take the rap if I get caught but the point is I retain the power of choice.
Not an easy task in this day and age of memory protection, but possible nontheless. I'm sure this kind of tech will be ubiquitous when Vista is released so perhaps we will see a reduction of piracy.
I doubt it though. M$ have been developing various versions of windows for 10 years (Windows 3.1 and previous versions not included). Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, XP and 2003 were all pirated before day of release (if memory serves). For those it was applicable to, it was the Corporate version which was released as a copy, circumventing all of M$'s touted anti-piracy features in one fell swoop.
Even recently, with the introduction of Windows Genuine Advantage, they still haven't got it right. Windows Update still works if you deactivate the WGA ActiveX add-in.
As I see it, to kill piracy you'd need to have the following:
Worldwide adoption of IPv6.
Every individual connecting to the internet is issued a static address. Much like your SSN or NI number is unique to an individual, so should your internet address be.
Software requires internet connection to install and when hardware is changed.
Software would also have to communicate with an internal hardware module to ensure continued system integrity. M$ answer to this was the Palladium platform.
Of course, you would have to educate (brainwash) people into accepting such technology. Personally, I don't want it to happen. I want my computer to be doing only what I tell it and not checking up on me. If I want to run pirate software, I want my computer to let me. I'll take the rap if I get caught but the point is I retain the power of choice.