[17280] in cryptography@c2.net mail archive
[dave@farber.net: [IP] Intel quietly embeds DRM in it's 945 chips firmware]
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Eugen Leitl)
Tue May 31 12:07:01 2005
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Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 14:37:11 +0200
From: Eugen Leitl <eugen@leitl.org>
To: transhumantech@yahoogroups.com,
Cryptography List <cryptography@metzdowd.com>
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----- Forwarded message from David Farber <dave@farber.net> -----
=46rom: David Farber <dave@farber.net>
Date: Tue, 31 May 2005 08:17:59 -0400
To: Ip ip <ip@v2.listbox.com>
Subject: [IP] Intel quietly embeds DRM in it's 945 chips firmware
X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.730)
Reply-To: dave@farber.net
Begin forwarded message:
=46rom:
Date: May 31, 2005 1:15:49 AM EDT
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Re: [IP] Intel quietly embeds DRM in it's 945 chips firmware
Dave Farber: Please remove my name and identity from this mailing, =20
due to fear of reprisal. (I still work in the entetainment business =20
=66rom time to time.)
I do not know all about Intel's DRM, but I do know more, perhaps, =20
than I should. What I do know is that Intel has been working very =20
closely with the entertainment industry on a DRM that, I've been =20
told, seeks to satisfy EVERYONE'S wishes. Of course, such a system =20
would mean, by definition, that it will satisfy either no one, or =20
only the studios.
But I do know that the Intel "dream" DRM system would allow content =20
to be moved from one platform to another on a network, presumably =20
through a check-in/check-out procedure, to make sure only a limited =20
number of (legitimate) copies would be made and in service at any one =20
time. Intel's system also acknowledges, for example, that a high-=20
resolution (e.g. high definition video) copy of a film could be used =20
to create low-res (like Quicktime, Real or Windows Media) versions =20
that could be used in portable video players. Users might even be =20
able to "loan" time-limited copies or be allowed to make a small =20
number of copies, like Apple's Fair Play DRM permits. You can check =20
out Intel's ideas for such a system, and the participation of an =20
entertainment and consumer electronics industry panel called the =20
Digital Home Working Group, on which Intel sits, which has been =20
addressing such a system in this article from February, 2004:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/02/24/HNbarrettdrm_1.html
(Note: The Japanese system for hard disk and DVD recorders that =20
Barrett alludes to is called CPRM. It is neither new nor flexible, =20
and there has already been some consumer backlash against it in =20
Japan, where it is used for the transmission of digital TV b'casts -- =20
sort of their "broadcast flag.")
At the root of the problem, of course, is the personal computer =20
that's used as a media player platform. This is also, not =20
coincidentally, Intel's cash cow. Such a DRM system, with the PC =20
playing a pivotal role, would also mean that IBM or other chip =20
vendors would not be allowed to play without building in the same =20
chip-level protection. Without these important security pieces, =20
Apple, for example, would be cut out of the picture for playing =20
content protected by the Intel-endorsed DRM, as would (most likely) =20
Linux-based devices.
This is a GRAND PLAN that relies on it being either almost completely =20
transparent to consumers (like Apple's Fair Play) or simple to =20
understand. Unfortunately, almost no DRM is easily understood by =20
consumers. Even most of the customer's for Apple's iTunes Music =20
Store only become familiar with the terms under which they've =20
purchased their music when they bump up against the limitations that =20
have been set.
The real nightmare scenario, in my opinion, is a world in which =20
several such DRMs co-exist, creating a chaotic environment in which =20
you never know whether content will play on one plaform but not =20
another. This is a potentially really sticky mess.
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Eugen* Leitl <a href=3D"http://leitl.org">leitl</a>
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