HD DVD makes its cracked BitTorrent debut

An HD DVD movie has turned up on BitTorrent file sharing sites, following reports that the format's AACS copy protection technology had been hacked. Details of the link to the 1080p version of sci-fi flick Serenity on an unnamed torrent tracker were posted on HDTV Blogger after several hackers worked out how to extract the HD DVD's unique volume key. Other movies, including Batman Begins, Chronicles of Riddick, 12 Monkeys and King Kong, are also said to have been cracked. ...more

Microsoft shows off future security technology

Microsoft has revealed future security-related products and programmes at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. As well as covering the release of Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) for Windows Server 2003 and improved patch management, the corporate VP of Microsoft's Security Business Unit, Mike Nash, demonstrated a prototype of NGSCB (Next-Generation Secure Computing Base) technology. This is a new hardware- and software-based security system that will be appearing in 'Longhorn', the next major release of Windows. ...more

Judge denies Novell's attempt to dismiss SCO suit

The case revolves around SCO's claims that it owns the Unix operating system, which previous owner Novell publicly disputed, resulting in SCO slapping a 'Slander of Title' lawsuit upon the company. Novell argued that legal privileges allowed it to make such statements, in the interest of the Linux community that was being targeted by SCO, which is looking to charge royalty payments for use of what it considered its wrongfully included intellectual property. It seems that there are only two conditions by which SCO can successfully argue that Novell doesn't have such privileges. ...more

French court finds against DVD copy protection

A French court has ruled that copy-protected DVDs infringe consumers' rights. The Paris Court of Appeal decided that the Content Scrambling System prevents French consumers from exercising their fair usage rights. The case was brought by a person who wanted to make a VHS copy of a DVD for his mother to see, as she did not have a DVD player. ...more

Industry-backed copy control body opens copy and burn media options

Hollywood is poised to give the go-ahead for the widespread downloading and burning of movies after the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA) announced that it is prepared to license the Content Scramble System (CSS) used to encrypt DVD content. Downloads services such as Apple's iTunes Music Store, would be permitted to let users burn downloads to DVD, provided the discs are encrypted with CSS to prevent duplication. As this would require the production of compatible media, the association is working with disc manufacturers to ensure a supply. ...more