[Free-sklyarov-uk] Microsoft patents DRM OS

[Peter Clay]

It appears to be a system whereby a computer will run only signed code,
code trusted by signed code, or insist on unloading all DRM-using software
before loading any non-DRM software.

>From the patent:

"The user that possesses the digital bits often does not have full rights
to their use; instead, the provider retains at least some of the rights.
In a very real sense, the legitimate user of a computer can be an
adversary of the data or content provider. "Digital rights management" is
therefore fast becoming a central requirement if online commerce is to
continue its rapid growth."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/23387.html links to the silly long
patent URL and a copy at http://cryptome.org/ms-drm-os.htm
Cryptome has various other interesting documents on it.

The apparent mechanism is in three parts: some OS hackery with page files
and refusing to allow processes to attach to DRM processes (fair enough),
then some weird processor-level protection which appears to involve
equipping CPUs with UNIQUE public and private keys.

This isn't a current threat because of the hardware requirement, but if it
is ever implemented it'll make the CPU serial number fiasco look like a
storm in a teacup.

Pete
-- 
Undiscovered band of the minute: The Fabric Magistrate of Unarmed
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