“Microsoft Corp. is once again on the defensive against hackers after the launch of a new program that gives average PC users tools to unlock copy-protected digital music and movies,” The Associated Press reports.
“The latest version of the FairUse4M program, which can crack Microsoft’s digital rights management system for Windows Media audio and video files, was published online late Friday. In the past year, Microsoft plugged holes exploited by two earlier versions of the program and filed a federal lawsuit against its anonymous authors. Microsoft dropped the lawsuit after failing to identify them,” AP reports.
“The third version of FairUse4M has a simple drag-and-drop interface. PC users can turn the protected music files they bought online — either a la carte or as part of a subscription service like Napster — and turn them into DRM-free tunes that can be copied and shared at will, or turned into MP3 files that can play on any type of digital music player,” AP reports.
“Jonathan Usher, a director in Microsoft’s consumer media technology group, said Microsoft employs a full-time team to combat such breaches, and that the Windows Media DRM system was designed to be quickly modified to shut down this type of attack,” AP reports.
“While Usher said Microsoft will remain committed to copy protection, attitudes around the industry are starting to shift,” AP reports. “Apple’s iTunes store started selling DRM-free music from EMI Group PLC’s catalog in May… Josh Bernoff, an industry analyst at research group Gartner Inc., said he expects music DRM to fade out in the next couple of years as record companies begin to realize selling unprotected tracks online won’t hurt sales.”
Full article here.
Does any one still using Microsoft DRM?
l use to do the right thing, l use to buy the music but the DRM was driving me nuts.. so l have gone to itune with the FREE DRM..
Microsoft employs a full-time team to combat such breaches
That’s fifteen lawyers, ten PR people, and five coders.
Paul –
What’s Free DRM?
And the MS saga continues……
I think Paul meant “DRM-Free”
Why dont you troll the Micro$haft boards for awhile ?
I’m pretty sure he meant DRM Free…
The other mistakes make it pretty clear he’s not a native english speaker – so it’s really not that big a deal.
Were you really confused by that though?
I need to make a DRM, I haven’t gone potty in days. Mom says it’s because I touched myself, and violated my naughty spot.
Oops, meant BM.
Oh Well.
Self Love Stinks
Free 14 day trial on Napster + FairUse4M here I come!
That’s amazing! With its monumental resources Microsoft couldn’t uncover those responsible for developing FairUse4M? AYFKM?
That speaks volumes to all those who are not part of the juggernaut-class of software developers; those who have allowed security concessions to nibble away at resources dedicated to software iterations and the means to thrive.
The 64M dollar question is, just how much money does Microsoft budget for this so-called investigatory division called consumer media technology group?
Jonathon Usher might be looking for a new job, unless of course Microsoft has admitted that perhaps Windows Media is the one to blame.
Who cares?
WMA has been brought to a screeching halt by the iPhone. The only mobile media device that matters plays H.264 video, and will probably never play WMA.
-jcr
I just want you to know:
When I see a post by ‘Zune Tang’ I automatically move on to the next as I can guarantee that it’s not worth reading.
I apply the same principle to posters who use the idiotic ‘fsck’ and all its variants.
By the way:
It’s Micros**t – not Micro$oft or M$ or even Microshaft.
So where is the link?
Whats WMA? Is it:-
Watch My Arse?
With Madness Attached?
Windows Madness Assylum?
Windows Migrain Again?
With Major Accusations?
With More Agro?
With More Adamsite?
Aaahhh! It means With More Adamsite!
Adamsite or DM is an organic compound technically, an arsenical diphenylaminechlorarsine No wonder there are alot of ill people after they have dabbled with WMA!!!!
Hey Poisoned Tang
You miserable jerk off….hahaha I bet you aren’t reading this cause you ‘automatically’ moved tot eh next post.
Needer needer needer…
I am so mature…..
I swear, Microsoft must do retarded things just to entertain me on a daily basis.
Sure puts a dampener on the subscription model for the RIAA!!!
Anything ‘WM’ means it is shite.
Through and through.
One day the whole world will know it.
“I swear, Microsoft must do retarded things just to entertain me on a daily basis.”
Nice one walter!
@Camel’s Milk Drinker,
it’s Windy Milk A$$, of course!
PS You’re a sick SOB by the way..
Comment from: Paul
“l use to do the right thing, l use to buy the music but the DRM was driving me nuts.. so l have gone to itune with the FREE DRM..”
Paul, in both cases of your usage of “use” the proper word would be “used”.
The sooner we learn these things the sooner our opinions will earn credibility.
Also, one period does the job. Two look sloppy and adolescent.
It shouldn’t be too hard for Micro$oft to find the perps – there’s only two Zune owners after all.
DRM is like anything else: If it can be made, it can be broke.
Question is whether MS sees the light or continues chasing the wind.
AAPL fans should hope for the latter. Given MS’s history of “solving” problems by throwing ever-more people and dollars at them, it’s probably the most likely scenario.
@ Roberto, Nice attempt! & I like it!!!
I am surprised you’ve only just realised how sick I am! Sick to my eyeteeth of all the shit that keeps hitting the fan as a result of careless greedy bastards!!!
So I have embarked on a mission to level the playing field by hawking Camel’s Milk to those that need it the most…
Once they have drunk some, they will fart so uncontrollably that they will have to drop any pretense at being holier than thou and admit to their baser selves….That it is normal to fart and not to be embarrased by it, just as cars emit exhaust from burning petrol chemicals.
What hawever they will be unable to get used to is the stench of their activities!!!