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Microsoft Readies Fix For DRM Hack: Page 2 of 3

Microsoft has said for quite awhile that no DRM system is ironclad, and acknowledges that hackers can sometimes find a way around the protections in Windows Media Player. The technology, however, is flexible and can be tweaked relatively quickly to stymie attackers.

"We designed the Windows Media DRM system to be renewable, so that if such events occur the system can be refreshed to address them," Matthias said. "End users are not at risk due to this circumvention. This circumvention is against WM DRM content."

FairUse4WM is unique because it could be used to free tunes downloaded on PCs through Windows Media-supported subscription services, such as those offered by Yahoo and Napster. Once the DRM is removed, the files, for example, could be played on Apple Computer's Macs or iPod portable media players.

Subscription services store music on a PC, so it can be moved to a portable device. The DRM application prevents the music from being copied to a CD, and contains a 30-day timer that resets every time the subscription is renewed. No renewal and the files deactivate.

The release of FairUse4WM sparked fair-use debates on some tech Web sites. In an open letter to Microsoft, Engadget editors called on Microsoft not to patch the DRM, arguing that restrictions on music use drives more people to illegal download sites.