[6651] in cryptography@c2.net mail archive
Re: Copy protection proposed for digital displays
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Steven M. Bellovin)
Wed Feb 23 19:16:30 2000
From: "Steven M. Bellovin" <smb@research.att.com>
To: Ian Farquhar <Ian.Farquhar@aus.sun.com>
Cc: eugene.leitl@lrz.uni-muenchen.de, cryptography@c2.net,
rick_smith@securecomputing.com
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Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 18:23:08 -0500
Message-Id: <20000223232313.C4D4341F16@SIGABA.research.att.com>
In message <200002232250.JAA17856@tolstoy.Aus.Sun.COM>, Ian Farquhar writes:
> > 5. Sony spends millions on recalls, PR damage control, etc.
>
> Look at it this way:
>
> "Sony, you'd better do a pretty good job of securing your keys, as if
> your systems are compromised you'll wear the financial consequences."
It's worth mentioning that many current business models seem to favor
subscription-based services, rather than simple static content or hardware.
Consider Tivo's VCR replacement, which requires a phone connection to update
its viewing guide, etc. -- a feature you pay ~$10/month for. Or look at the
late, (unlamented?) DIVX variant on DVD.
The cost of hardware is going asymptotically to zero, and ordinary content is
relatively easy to copy. Everyone knows that -- and smart companies are trying
to make their money some other way.
--Steve Bellovin
