[opendtv] Intel: Leaked HDCP copy protection code is legit
- From: "John Shutt" <shuttj@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 07:37:02 -0400
Well, there may be a development that is going to throw the distribution of all
content into question.
HDCP now has it's own "deCSS" problem.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-20016756-245.html?tag=mncol;txt
Intel has confirmed that code posted to the Internet earlier this week is the
master key that is part of an Intel-created standard used to make sure only
authorized devices are playing copyright-protected movies.
"We can use it to generate valid device keys that do interoperate with the
(High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) protocol," Intel spokesman Tom
Waldrop told CNET today.
HDCP is used in set-top boxes, DVD, and Blu-ray disc players, and other devices
to encrypt the content, audio, or video, and verify that the devices have HDCP
licenses and thus won't play pirated content.
The code appeared mysteriously on the Pastebin.com site on Monday with the
headline "IS THE LEAKED HDCP MASTER KEY REAL?"
It remains unknown who posted it and how they were able to get the code,
Waldrop said.
With the master key code it is possible to build devices that play
copyright-protected content without having to pay for licenses. But Waldrop
said that wouldn't be easy to do because the technology would have to be
implemented in the chip. "As a practical matter, that's a difficult and costly
thing to do," he said.
And Intel most definitely would try to thwart any makers of unauthorized
devices.
"We believe that this technology will remain effective," he said. "There's a
large install base of licensed devices including several hundred licensees that
will continue to use it and in any case, were a (circumvention) device to
appear that attempts to take advantage of this particular hack there are legal
remedies, particularly under the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act)."
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