The content is hosted on www.now.com.hk, which belongs to major Asian broadcaster Network of the World, and is protected by Microsoft's digital rights management software, DRM 2. The hackers are using FreeMe, a DRM 2 cracker developed by pseudonymous programmer "Beale Screamer" and recently distributed across the Web following exposure on the U.S. security site Cryptome.org.
FreeMe first appeared earlier this month, and this is believed to be the first time it has been put into wide use.
Broadband observer Jimmy Lam Tin-yim told the newspaper that the hackers were recording the encrypted streams onto disk and then breaking the protection. He estimated that fewer than 500 people were accessing content in this way, and pointed out that they had to be subscribers to the service in order to get access in the first place.
DRM 2 is an integral part of Windows Media Player and Windows XP, and is a lynchpin of Microsoft's approach to controlling the distribution of digital media. Although FreeMe includes a comprehensive analysis of the flaw in DRM 2, the distribution of the cracking program also sends out an essay by the author cogently explaining that the software was an act of protest and not to be used for "massive copyright infringement."
He expects it to be used by people who have bought music or movies in order to view the content as and when they like: The distribution even includes a license to that effect.
Noting that other programs that demonstrate flaws in protection schemes have led to their authors being arrested, Beale Screamer said, "I don't intend on being a martyr, or on spending the next decade of my life defending myself in legal proceedings."
Why would anyone want XP?
I really don't know, is MS trying to indirectly imply that there is some sort of disirability to run Windows XP.
It reminds me of their story about pirates in Malaysia.
While I have no doubts that pirates exist, I find MS's representations to be rather vastly exerggerated.
If you were to believe MS, you could not help but think people would want an unsecurable operating system.
Makes you wonder, doesn't it?