HDCP cracked; opens door for DRM-free HD boxes

September 17, 2010 By Fahmida Y. Rashid

Hackers have been busy, first breaking Apple's iOS, and now HDCP.

Hackers have cracked the antipiracy code commonly used in set-top boxes, and Blu-ray and DVD players, Intel told several news outlets yesterday. Rumors flew Tuesday that the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) technology was compromised. Intel confirmed the news yesterday.

Intel spokesman Tom Waldrop said the code published online “appears” to be a master key. Users can derive keys from this published master key that will work on devices that use the copy protection technology.

HDCP prevents the copying of audio and video content playing on HD devices like TVs and players for Blu-ray and DVDs.The digital rights management software is required when playing audio and video content over HDMI cables (and other cables) that connect flat-panel TVs to gaming systems or other HD drvices.

The hack unlocks DRMed content by providing the master key, which can then strip the encryption that’s on the cable box and DVR. With the encryption removed, anyone can make unlimited copies of HD content. Copy protection software becomes moot.

Expect to see DRM-free movies and games flooding the black market soon.

With DRM cracked, the way is open to build new HD devices, as well, and bypass the license fees Intel charges for the privilege. However, Intel doesn’t expect illegal hardware to pop up anytime soon, pointing out there is a lot of work and expense involved in making the DRM-free computer chip, and then embedding in to a device. There is a risk that vendors in countries with less stringent copyright regulations will take on the hassle and start manufacturing DRM-free Blu-ray players and TVs. This would mean a hit for Intel’s license fees and illegal hardware would impact retail sales of the devices.

Despite the hackers’ victory, Intel said encryption technology is still sound and remains the best way to protect content.

Showing 2 comments

Juan at 11:52pm 11th November 2010 This is interesting, but really??? "Expect DRM-Free content to flood the black market" That's hilarious. Cause it's not there already right? This changes little to nothing. The only thing this stuff did was sell a bunch of HDMI cables... it never protected content except from its legitimate user. I would expect DRM free content on the legitimate market as a result actually... which that would be cool. Like, iTunes sells you an unprotected song now... that didn't increase piracy, it made buying an iTunes song much more appealing.
Lothlorian at 10:09am 18th September 2010 Can I Haz Cheezbuger? Yes you can. The Koreans and Chinese will have these on the market soon. Expect to see dongles or other hacking tech. Intel is simply stalling when it says this would be hard to implement. There are Mod Chip hardware for every modern game console on the market today. What makes intel think their DRM is so special that once the master key is known they will not see it implemented?