DRM Heavies On The Way

The body behind the much loved copy protection system, AACS (Advanced Access Content System) has said bloggers were wrong to have posted a software key that lets naughty people hack, high-def HD DVD movies.

Digg posted the software key against a ‘cease and desist’ notice and it can now be found on hundreds of thousands of Web sites and, even T-Shirts. The AACS body is evaluating ‘legal and technical' tools, to make those bloggers stop. Speaking to the Beeb, Michael Ayers, chair of the AACS, said:

"It started out as a circumvention effort six to eight weeks ago but we now see the key on YouTube and on T-Shirts. Some people clearly think it's a First Amendment issue. There is no intent from us to interfere with people's right to discuss copy protection. We respect free speech. They can discuss the pros and cons. We know some people are critical of the technology. But a line is crossed when we start seeing keys being distributed and tools for circumvention. You step outside of the realm of protected free speech then.”

In the meantime, the body is working on a new key which will, no doubt, be as completely impregnable as the last one. Check out the Wired survey on how long the new key will last before being smashed wide open. I give it less than a week