Microsoft’s PlaysForSure cracked: FairUse4WM strips Windows Media DRM

“So far as the yet very quiet forums are claiming, a new app called FairUse4WM can be used to strip Windows Media DRM 10 and 11 (i.e. PlaysForSure, but not WM DRM 9). Yes, yes, we know, we’ve heard this song and dance before. But before we proceed, let’s just be totally clear on how the system works: providers like Napster and Yahoo Music Unlimited provide subscription service for unlimited access to Windows Media DRMed files; stop paying the fee, stop getting access to the files — but you already knew all this. We tried FairUse4WM and we can verify that it quickly and easily stripped the DRM from our Napster To Go tracks, and made them freely available to play on our Mac (which, of course, has Flip4Mac installed). In other words, it’s a simple, apparently lossless, one-step method for making your files playable after you’re no longer paying fees on your subscription service,” Ryan Block reports for Engadget.

“Now watch as Microsoft shuts down the forums and runs damage control in order to prevent an digital media entire platform from collapsing,” Block writes. “P.S. – Here are some links to the app (no, we can’t verify their validity, and yes, we take absolutely zero accountability for what you may do with it): here, here, and here.”

Full article here.
Aw gee, that’s too bad, isn’t it? We have to wonder if one (or more) of Microsoft’s “partners” leaked a bit before they potentially get “Zuned.” DUCK, FLYING CHAIR!!!

That damn Karma is such a royal bitch.

And, all this just when Microsoft is getting ready to lay some big thick PlaysForSure-based Zune bricks, too. Tsk, tsk. At least the name finally fits: it actually will PlayForSure now. Coffin, Nail. Nail, Coffin.

Related articles:
Zune: Apple cannot lose. Microsoft cannot win. – July 26, 2006
In wake of Zune, Microsoft ‘partners’ consider abandoning PlaysForSure – July 25, 2006
Enderle: Microsoft’s ‘PlaysForSure’ going to be a long-term problem for Apple – January 09, 2006
Napster’s dirty little secret: changing subscription services into downloads is easy – February 18, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs warns record industry of Napster To Go’s security gap – February 16, 2005
Users thwart Napster To Go’s copy protection; do the music labels realize the piracy potential? – February 15, 2005
Napster-To-Go’s ‘rental music’ DRM circumvented – February 14, 2005
Microsoft debuts ‘PlaysForSure’ logo to signify incompatiblity with Apple iPod, iTunes Music Store – October 15, 2004