[17-9-2006] Bruce Schneier on DRM
There's a fabulous quote from security guru Bruce Schneier in Wired.
He is explaining why Microsoft takes up to a month to issue vital security patches out to its users, but it can patch a hole which allows Windows Media Digital Restriction Management (DRM) to be stripped off media files within three days.
Commenting on the fact that the patch had already been circumvented he speculated on how long it would be before Microsoft issues another patch, and how long to circumvent that patch. The answer was:
"Certainly much less time than it will take Microsoft and the recording industry to realize they're playing a losing game, and that trying to make digital files uncopyable is like trying to make water not wet."
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,71738-0.html?tw=wn_index_6
He is explaining why Microsoft takes up to a month to issue vital security patches out to its users, but it can patch a hole which allows Windows Media Digital Restriction Management (DRM) to be stripped off media files within three days.
Commenting on the fact that the patch had already been circumvented he speculated on how long it would be before Microsoft issues another patch, and how long to circumvent that patch. The answer was:
"Certainly much less time than it will take Microsoft and the recording industry to realize they're playing a losing game, and that trying to make digital files uncopyable is like trying to make water not wet."
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,71738-0.html?tw=wn_index_6