Managing Rights Management

Rootkit Tech added to MyDoom and Bagle

The Register (UK) reports that virus writers are now using rootkit techniques. Snippet: Virus writers have begun adding rootkit functionality as a component of commonplace malware such as MyDoom and Bagle. Rootkit technology is designed to hide the presence of malware on infected systems. Originally the technology featured only as... Read more →

Recently Published Patent Applications

Every Thursday, the US Patent and Trademark Office publishes pending patent applications. Publication has no bearing on whether a patent will eventually be issued based on the application. Still, issued patents and published applications are often indicators of what people have been thinking about and the kinds of things that... Read more →

DRM Flawed Says Researcher

Several sources including this IDG News Service article published in PCWorld are reporting on a speech given by Cambridge-MIT researcher Ian Brown which argues that DRM technologies are inherently flawed. Snippets: DRM technology is simple but making it work is difficult, Brown said. The data has to be decrypted to... Read more →

Cablevision's Net-based DVR Services

Newfactor reports that Cablevision is testing a net-based DVR service that will eventually enable consumers to store up to 80 Gigs or about 45 hours of video on Cablevision servers. Snippets: While TV networks and other content providers have raised concerns about digital rights and the ability of consumers to... Read more →

Recently Issued Patents

The US Patent Office issues new patents on Tuesdays. Issued patents and published applications may be early indicators of the kinds of issues being addressed by inventors and/or the companies for whom they work. The first of today's patents describes ways of distributing media assets to user devices; no assignee... Read more →

Did Lessig Endorse DRM?

The Register (UK) reports that Lawrence Lessig of Creative Commons fame has endorsed DRM, or at least Sun's open source DRM efforts, the Open Media Commons. The endorsement is in a press release announcing release of code and specifications for OMC DRM. The release quotes Lessig: Lawrence Lessig, Chairman of... Read more →

Chicago Attorney Seeking Plaintiffs Against Starforce

Chicago attorney Ethan Preston is seeking additional information regarding the Starforce CD copy protection technologies note here earlier today. In association with other law firms, this law firm previously brought a class action against Sony BMG/Arista Entertainment in relation to similar technologies incorporated into certain music CDs. It may be... Read more →

Starforce Bruhaha

CDFreaks has reported that Starforce CD-R copy protection creates problems for gamers even when no Starforce-protected applications are running: This latest identified threat by Futuremark [by someone posting on Futuremark's site]* is one that relates to a driver being installed on your computer that gains RING0 access (the highest level... Read more →

Recently Published Patent Applications

Every Thursday, the US Patent and Trademark Office publishes pending patent applications. Publication has no bearing on whether a patent will eventually be issued based on the application. Still, issued patents and published applications are often indicators of what people have been thinking about and the kinds of things that... Read more →

State Sponsored Piracy, N'est pas?

Numerous sources including the AP are reporting that the lower house of the French parliament has approved a law that would require Apple and others to open up their proprietary DRM systems. The bill will not become law until and unless passed by the French Senate. Breaking days of silence... Read more →