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And that's why DRM doesn't work
If DRM only relies on being hidden from the user then it will never work. The saying "Security by Obscurity never works" would apply here.

Source or no source code DRM just fails to work. In the end some hacker somewhere just figures it out. If it is just use obscurity to secure the files then it's just that much easier to hack. If it's written right it will be difficult but not impossible hack reguardless of the source code being available.

You need to understand DRM. For DRM to work you need to lock it up. For a person to access content that uses DRM you have to give the user the key to unlock the DRM. If the user has the key they can defeat DRM if they so choose. Assuming they have the skills and knowledge to do it. Having the source code is irrelevant in this case. You don't have the modify the DRM compent you just have to use the key with the DRM component. This could be writing software that plays file (unlocking the DRM) and that same software allows you do the stuff that was not intended by the implementation of DRM on the file such as copying.

DRM works best where the person you are giving the key to has no vested interest in bypassing the DRM. Such as emailing a document to a friend where both parties don't want others to access the data. In this case both parties have the key but if the email get intercepted in transfer the data is secure even if the the data is copied.
Posted by: voska   Posted on: 01/19/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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New Linux license takes aim at DRM and Hollywood  Loverock Davidson | 01/18/06
Rockhead, "tongue in cheek" is NOT the same ...  Judas I. | 01/18/06
You realize of course that...  #_z | 01/18/06
Linus will just use the existing GPL...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/18/06
Liar! Oh...the "L" word. Or wait...that's "Loverock"!  techboy_z | 01/18/06
Why the insults? Can think of a real comment?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/18/06
You realize....  Shelendrea | 01/18/06
Isn't that sad???  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/06
In order to be worthy of a REAL comment ...  Judas I. | 01/19/06
He is what he is.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/06
true  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
Oh, now THAT'S rich.  Judas I. | 01/19/06
Knock it off  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
You must be new around here.  Judas I. | 01/19/06
Oh this is getting good  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
Yep, gittin' really good, we're makin' progress, Shelendrea.  Judas I. | 01/19/06
Trouble is, DRM has good uses  A.Sinic | 01/20/06
Good uses?  jgoecks@... | 01/20/06
No, Linus said that...  Tony Agudo | 01/18/06
An odd statement.  Anton Philidor | 01/18/06
RE:  Edward Meyers | 01/18/06
Also tricky.  Anton Philidor | 01/18/06
A Good Chunk  Edward Meyers | 01/18/06
It Apears to be Aimed More At  Edward Meyers | 01/18/06
Another 10 year block of our lives...  John Le'Brecage | 01/19/06
DRM in the studio...  A.Sinic | 01/20/06
Funny how none of those security measures  mustangj36@... | 01/21/06
DRM and GPL3  hipparchus2001 | 01/18/06
Then it wouldn't be DRM anymore  Tony Agudo | 01/18/06
remote DRM?  __howard__ | 01/18/06
Does Hollywood have to abandon Linux...  Anton Philidor | 01/18/06
Mr Stallman v. Mr Gates/Ballmer  mdsmedia | 01/19/06
DRM (actually TPM) and GPL3  krehbiel | 01/19/06
Malware Writters Will Just Sign The Code  Edward Meyers | 01/19/06
Malware Writters Can't Just Sign The Code  krehbiel | 01/19/06
Oh well, knew it was coming  Boot_Agnostic | 01/19/06
This article is 100% FUD  krehbiel | 01/19/06
And that's why DRM doesn't work  voska | 01/19/06
Big win for Microsoft CE and sad day for PMPs  wa1gon | 01/19/06
TiVo USES Linux  Roger Ramjet | 01/19/06
Change to Windows I suppose.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/06
If it came down to it  Loverock Davidson | 01/19/06
linux reference is more than kernel.. bigger than Tivo  john.gruber@... | 01/19/06
Hmm...  thetargos | 01/19/06
Bad headline  John L. Ries | 01/19/06
So much nothing chat about a license to use Copyrighted works.  B.O.F.H. | 01/19/06
So I pose a serious question. When does it end?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 01/19/06
A License is a contract, a copyright is different  Physco Dude | 01/19/06
I am presuming that you are versed in Copyright Law by now.  B.O.F.H. | 01/19/06
DMCA and DRM Question?  alricsca | 01/19/06
GPL or any future version...  krehbiel | 01/19/06
DRM is NOT A BAD THING!  RMD | 01/19/06
You must be new to DRM to say that  Tony Agudo | 01/19/06
Yes!  TimeBomb | 01/19/06
Thanks!  Tony Agudo | 01/20/06
GREAT post Rafterman wink  btljooz | 01/20/06
I'm not a Windows user but...  Tony Agudo | 01/21/06
You have a point, but...  Physco Dude | 01/19/06
Sell what? The song is not the product, a ticket to a show is a product!!!  xunil skcor | 01/19/06
huh?????  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
Legally, you're probably not "buying" the song  __howard__ | 01/19/06
Your not buying the song or any "license" either.  xunil skcor | 01/20/06
Nor give it away ...  __howard__ | 01/24/06
so.............  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
iTunes  TimeBomb | 01/19/06
It really isn't a bad thing. Just FUD on overtime.  osreinstall | 01/21/06
People! GPL software does not mean you have to run GPL sofwatre on it....  Physco Dude | 01/19/06
GO Stallman!!! This is great news for open software!!!  xunil skcor | 01/19/06
Obutterball  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
Perfect sense to me, Shelendrea.  Judas I. | 01/19/06
Uncle Uncle!  Shelendrea | 01/19/06
Just ignore DRM  Mectron | 01/20/06
DRM is not just for Movies and Music  A.Sinic | 01/20/06
RE: DRM is not just for Movies and Music by A.Sinic  btljooz | 01/20/06
RE: Just ignore DRM by Mectron  btljooz | 01/20/06
GOOD!!!!  btljooz | 01/20/06

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