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Blu-ray and HD DVD Processing Key Exposed
According to Engadget, a DRM hacker named “arnezami” has found the “processing key” that can decrypt all HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc films. This is huge. Previously, there were ways of recovering the keys that controlled the individual disc, but you had to have a different key for each title. Now, one tool, with this key embedded in it, will be able to decrypt every disc that’s been produced to date.
This kind of thing just shows the futility of DRM as a solution for protecting copyrighted works. At 20Gb per movie and $25 for a blank disc, there’s no imminent threat, but it’s a portent of things to come.
The technology is designed so that processing keys can be revoked, so this will only work for movies out now discs made with that key. Discs going forward will undoubtedly have a new processing key. They’ll also make it harder to find the key, but it’s only a matter of time until the next exploit becomes available. The individual title keys can’t be revoked, so even though they’re more trouble, they work forever.
Posted by windley on February 13, 2007 2:34 PM
Comment from Jesse at February 14, 2007 11:08 AM
The ultimate futility of DRM is that it encourages folks to crack it and engage in even more piracy. Because of DRM and the actions of the recording industry, I try to buy CDs and DVDs secondhand to avoid giving them more money. I also refuse to buy media from iTunes or any other music store that uses DRM.
I'm hoping that Steve Jobs was sincere in his remarks about DRM and that at least one of the major studios will follow that lead. Piracy is not something you can eliminate with technology; it is simply an unfortunate cost of doing business.
Comment from Bill at May 1, 2007 4:23 PM
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