Anti-Palladium
Comments: 13
A thread at MacSlash on Apple And Digital Rights Management contains the best and most concise explanation of Palladium and how evil it is that I’ve read to date:
You’re looking at the wrong boogeyman
by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 02, @07:16PM EST (#4)The biggest threat with Palladium isn’t that Apple will follow a similar path; it’s that Apple, Linux, and any other OS not owned (in whole or in practice) by Microsoft will no longer be viable.
The current plans for Palladium-based DRM call for two things that work in concert: the so-called Fritz chip, controlled by Intel, and the Palladium software, a Microsoft-built extension that will be built into the next version of Windows. Basically the Fritz chip verifies that the hardware/software combo is “approved” before Palladium will allow you to unlock media secured with the corresponding DRM spec.
The practical upshot: any competing technology will be unable to use any digital media signed using the Palladium DRM scheme. And since Intel and Microsoft own the relevant technologies, how likely do you suppose it is that Linux, MacOS, or any other outside platform will conform to the spec?
It gets even grimmer, though. Because the DRM underpinnings are built into the hardware and software directly, any piece of digital data can be set to use the protection — not just media. This means that, for example, expensive applications can also be protected using Palladium. Application providers like this, because it proviedes a much more thorough anti-piracy scheme than bad sectors on the disc or requiring a serial number. Of course, as soon as Palladium becomes the de facto anti-piracy technology for software, it becomes literally impossible to do much of anything (at least in the commercial world) without a Palladium-compliant hardware/OS rig. See arguments above for how likely that is to include the MacOS.
Please understand that I’m not trying to suggest this is the End of Computing As We Know It. Certainly there will be no requirement to own computers with Fritz/Palladium schemes (at least for the moment), nor is there any requirement to use Palladium protection on all software. Open source will still survive to some degree. What I do think, however, is that if this scheme progresses as Intel and Microsoft want it to (and at this point, there’s really no reason to believe that it won’t) in 5-10 years it will be commerically unviable to produce software for any competing platforms. This will leave us with two classes of software and digital media — open-source preferred by the geek set, and Microsoft/Intel/Adobe/AOL Time Warner controlled software and media used by literally the rest of the world.
(Please note that “controlled” does not mean “owned”. Microsoft’s embrace and extend approach simply means that Microsoft will own the underlying infrastructure that future Internet devices rely on, in much the way that AOL Time Warner, for example, exclusively controls the cable systems in much of the country.)
There are two more posts, also by Coward or Cowards Anonymous, worth mentioning, one optimistic, the other decidely less so:
Neither Apple nor Motorola…
by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 03, @01:02AM EST (#12)Neither Apple nor Motorola have been in any way mentioned in connection to Palladium. The recent actions of Apple (Darwin, iTunes, iMovie, “Rip, Mix, Burn”, etc) indicate an understanding of the user base that recognizes that DRM like Palladium is a destructive thing that opposes the instincts of the user base.
Palladium will benefit the Mac market because people who understand the freedoms that Microsoft/Intel/AMD are trying to steal will flock to a platform that respects and trusts it’s users.
… and:
The MacBU probably just wishes DRM would go away
by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 03, @01:44AM EST (#14)It’s a huge Excedrin style headache for them compatibility-wise, since OS X doesn’t have anything built into it XP does, or like Longhorn will, that Office for Windows can use for DRM. Yet if they don’t do the work, kiss x-platform file compatibility goodbye (since allowing Macs without DRM to open DRM-protected documents would be a HUGE security hole). So basically they have to implement a feature end-users don’t really want, without a lot of help, instead of doing feature work that would actually BENEFIT end-users. Apple licensing this stuff from MS to build into the OS is also likely a non-starter, based on how The Steved One handles piracy in iTunes, as a social problem. The best thing that could happen is that it becomes flavor-of-the-month ala .NET My Services/”Hailstorm” and then it gets buried under a rock. Scary part is that Big Money seriously wants this (Hollywood, corps who hate leaks, etc.)- which is pretty heavy incentive for MS to whore itself…
•••
Posted to Computers • 2002.07.03 (Wed) • 16:35
Comments
Posted by James 2002.06.27, 09:35
A few decades of a rock stars life would dim anyones bulb.
Posted by zork.. 2002.07.30, 17:44
say again…fuck microsoft..The Satan Of Computing
Posted by Steve 2002.08.01, 08:45
As we all know, intellectual property is more than just Hollywierd…it’s yours and mine, and should one of us choose to develop our own software, put out our own cd, movie, or whatever, then it’s WE that would be concerned, so let’s not be cavaleer about individual rights, but rather, join in agreement that something must be done to protect it, but at the same time, also ackowledge Micro$oft’s legacy of nararious and monopolistic business practices. Me thinks that better than allowing the treacherous M.$. to become our keeper, why not, instead, encourage enterprising developers to create their OWN anti-piracy software, which would enable a NEW company to be born? My guess is that M.$. wants it all for themselves, and their famous (infamous?)
nemesis Intel, and this is a ploy on the part of M.$. and Intel to garner all the proceedings. Again, it’s in my personal belief that it would be far better for all of us, that a COMPLETELY INDEPENDANT DEVELOPER CREATE THIS VITALLY NEEDED SOFTWARE. The very last thing that any of us should want, is for M.$. to achieve it’s final grab, and seize the Internet for their own, meaning that they, Micro$oft, and they alone, along with Intel, can set prices, conditions, and so forth, which is a road that we had not go down. I don’t trust M.$. to do the right thing, given what I’ve learned about them, and that many fine individuals have warned us about. No less that Ralph Nader has produced scathing comments about the greedy M.$….and I’ll take Mr. Nader’s word over Bill Gates’ any old time.
Good Day,
Steve
Posted by Steve 2002.08.01, 19:51
Well, I was thinking…something that I’m known for doin’ ev’ry so often, and I’ll reassert that I’m in full agreement with Bill Gates’ stand on copyrights, as my previous posting clearly states, and it seems to me that Mr. Gates stole Apple’s then-current O.S., right, so shouldn’t Bill do the honourable thing by returning Apple’s property? What Mr. Jobs can do, is award Windows to those fine and honest gals at Endrun….lol that’s Enron, as those Lady Execs have demonstrated to my satisfaction that they possess the kind of character and ethical fortitude required to handle Palladium, so that it won’t become another parasitic Micro$oft venture…just a thought!
Best Wishes,
Steve
Posted by jh 2002.08.01, 23:11
Hi, Steve.
I ought to say that I’m completely in favour of intellectual property protection and, in principle, DRM. I’ve had work my work (photographs and writing) ripped off a number of times both here and in Australia and I can tell you that it really sucks.
What scares me about Palladium is the potential it has to allow Miccrosoft — an illegal monopolist convicted on appeal — to further monopolise it’s platform. The possibility of it acting as gatekeeper for all kinds of software and services in addition to ‘intellectual property’ also gives me the heebie jeebies in a big way.
Posted by Steve 2002.08.02, 07:06
Jh, there’s no question about the fact that, in order for media producers to to maintain their rights, DRM must be enforcable. Right of this moment, the only outfit that’s both willing and capable is Micro$oft, which is like the fox guarding the chicken coop
( remember, that this is very same M.$. that literally STOLE Apple’s original Macintosh O.S., from which Windows was fashioned, and also the same M.$. that has coerced numerous other companies in order to gain leverage, so somehow, M.$. is NOT a worthy candidate for the honours!
If I had my way, M.$. would have to return Windows to it’s rightful owners, Apple Computers, and then Apple would preside over Palladium, which would be just fine and dandy to me, as the essence of Palladium isn’t bad at all, but in the greedy controll of M.$., it will become a nightmare, owing to what we know of M.$.’s legacy in regards to business ethics, so let me reassert this, and Bill Gates, if you’re reading this, GIVE WINDOWS BACK TO APPLE! As a ‘Maccie’, I recieve the rind, while Windows users get the freakin’ watermelon, so Apple, who has lost countless bucks because of their pirated O.S. knows better than most the loss suffered by by companies that have their rightfull property stolen, but not only that, but also Apple knows the evil of Micro$oft, and as far as I’m concerned, Apple, and not Micro$oft should preside over DRM, cuz Apple has been a major victim all along. C’mon, Steve Jobs, please relent, and take over the helm…otherwise, the guys that took that O.S. that you at Apple spent so much time devising will do it…that’s it, jh, the solution is for Apple to join the fray; it’s either that, or M.$. will go through
with their plans, and the small guy/gal won’t recieve much, cuz in the collective mind of M.$., taking eveything in everyway possible is a policy, so that will mean that folks such as you won’t recieve much return on your efforts, as M.$. will garner virtually everything, leaving you a mere pittance. That’s the bottom line: ALL FOR MICRO$OFT…LITTLE THE SMALL GUY/GAL….JUST COGS IN THE GREAT MICROWHEEL. :-(
Warm Wishes,
Steve
Posted by Steve 2002.08.04, 17:06
I’m going to propose an idea, and I’m cetain that on first glance, it’ll seem crazy, which is par for my course, but let’s say that we create a parallel Inter-
net, consisting of Palladium, occupying one half, and then Mac/Linux in the other, and having the means to pass between both. Perhaps Macs/Linux will be equipped with ‘fritz chips’ to enable their journey into M.$.Land, and, conversely, Windows will be able to disable their ‘fritzes’ when joining MacLinuxville, resulting in the option to engage in either the free and open-source world that some favour, or conforming to the other…this way, folk can participate in the Internet as they please.
As we all know, there are both software creators that
enjoy not only sharing their accomplishments, but also welcome others to embellish opon them, and yet others that prefer a ‘hands-off’ approach.
Bottom line is that we must have interpersonal respect on the Web, and value the wishes of those that choose to make their wares available.
Now I’m sure that I’ve come up with the zaniest sol-
ution, but it may be worth some consideration.
One thing that I DON’T want, and that’s for
Micro$oft to take over, and rule ev’rything, as I’m certain that they intend to. Also, I want to rant here for a moment, ( Bitch and Moan Time for Steve) about the fact that M.$.stole Apple’s Macintosh O.S., and yet M.$. has become the de
facto system. Do any of you know that Mac folks are
continually marginalized, as in not being able to gain support for goodies such as Pal Talk, or ANY
‘voice’ with Yahoo, be it chat, Messenger, or P.C.-
To-Phone…like ev’rytime I, or someone else wants to make a phone call, I have to either shut down, or go into ‘sleep’ mode, and then reboot to get back onto the Web? Well, it’s a real drag, and these ridiculous and hurtfull limitations just go on and on and *in’ on, and it aint fair.*, M.$. stole
OUR O.S. Is it right that the users of the REAL Mac O.S. have to defer to the ripped-off version?
Thanx for indulging me.
Warm Wishes,
Steve
Posted by Steve 2002.08.04, 17:06
I’m going to propose an idea, and I’m cetain that on first glance, it’ll seem crazy, which is par for my course, but let’s say that we create a parallel Inter-
net, consisting of Palladium, occupying one half, and then Mac/Linux in the other, and having the means to pass between both. Perhaps Macs/Linux will be equipped with ‘fritz chips’ to enable their journey into M.$.Land, and, conversely, Windows will be able to disable their ‘fritzes’ when joining MacLinuxville, resulting in the option to engage in either the free and open-source world that some favour, or conforming to the other…this way, folk can participate in the Internet as they please.
As we all know, there are both software creators that
enjoy not only sharing their accomplishments, but also welcome others to embellish opon them, and yet others that prefer a ‘hands-off’ approach.
Bottom line is that we must have interpersonal respect on the Web, and value the wishes of those that choose to make their wares available.
Now I’m sure that I’ve come up with the zaniest sol-
ution, but it may be worth some consideration.
One thing that I DON’T want, and that’s for
Micro$oft to take over, and rule ev’rything, as I’m certain that they intend to. Also, I want to rant here for a moment, ( Bitch and Moan Time for Steve) about the fact that M.$.stole Apple’s Macintosh O.S., and yet M.$. has become the de
facto system. Do any of you know that Mac folks are
continually marginalized, as in not being able to gain support for goodies such as Pal Talk, or ANY
‘voice’ with Yahoo, be it chat, Messenger, or P.C.-
To-Phone…like ev’rytime I, or someone else wants to make a phone call, I have to either shut down, or go into ‘sleep’ mode, and then reboot to get back onto the Web? Well, it’s a real drag, and these ridiculous and hurtfull limitations just go on and on and *in’ on, and it aint fair.*, M.$. stole
OUR O.S. Is it right that the users of the REAL Mac O.S. have to defer to the ripped-off version?
Thanx for indulging me.
Warm Wishes,
Steve
Posted by D. 2003.02.10, 10:42
Micro$oft is the reason I now operate from a Linux platform and a Macintosh platform. I tossed all MS software in the garbage.
The idea of Palladium is quite scary. It is yet another reason in the long, sad list of reasons that I will never buy or use anything Micro$oft ever again. I still can’t believe the government didn’t bust them up into a million pieces and sink their bloated monopoly!
One can only hope the majority of those who currently use Micro$oft products will see this crap for what it truly is and wants to be/control. Of course, that’s probably wishful thinking. I’m just glad I finally woke up and realized how fucked up Micro$oft has become! Sort of like Neo being released from the matrix and Morpheus tells him: “welcome to the real world”.
Big Brother, my ass!
Posted by samolito 2003.10.01, 08:53
Microsoft Palladium.
Josef Stalin would have been proud!
In the present, post 9/11 climate of “oh save me Mr. Federal Government from the evil terrorists lurking in the shadows”, palladium could very well become the standard for all PC’s and software. The government would simply require it by law.
I’m sure officials like John Ashcroft are drooling over the thought of palladium technology.
All these bullshit terms used by M$, such as “safe computing”, and “trusted computing”, will be displayed all over every store front. As a result, the mini-van, soccer mom types will say: “I want my children to be safe using the computer. Palladium sounds good to me.” These are the same fat, dumb, and happy nimrods who blindly buy whatever overpriced, shit product M$ shovels out!
M$ also boasts how palladium will effectively combat viruses. Of course if it wasn’t for M$ producing garbage like Outlook, a lot of viruses wouldn’t have gained the worldwide news coverage they received.
May Intel & AMD burn in bankruptcy hell for willingly going down on Comrad Gates and his totalitarian visions.
If the worst happens, and palladium becomes the standard, I’m not sure what I’ll do. I know for a fact that I will do two things:
Complain to my congressman and senators on a continuous basis.
Never, ever, FUCKING EVER, buy anything from Micro$oft, Intel, or AMD ever again !!!
A note to fellow computer users in other countries: We might get screwed over here in the States, but in your country tell Bill Gates, Intel, AMD, the TCPA and the RIAA to FUCK OFF!!!
Posted by D. 2003.11.06, 23:21
Amen to Samolito’s post!
Like he said, Micro$oft will spend billions of dollars and deploy hundreds of their best spin doctors to sell this George Orwellian treachery to the American public! They’ll convince parents that palladium is a protective system, looking out for the best interest of the kids.
Anytime someone with a free thinking brain starts to ask questions about privacy issues, Bill Gates’ highly paid spin doctors will work their magic (ie, lie their ass off). Don’t be fooled: Micro$oft has a plan that they know, if it can become the defacto standard computer system in the world, will effectively annihilate all remaining competition (ie Linux and Macintosh).
One can only hope that someone in the U.S. government (who isn’t already in Micro$oft’s back pocket), will wake up, smell the Starbucks, and chop these monopolistic fucks into a million pieces for clearly violating the anti-trust settlement.
One bit of good news: China announced just yesterday (11/5/03) that they’ve decided to go with Linux instead of Micro$oft for their government computers. Also announced was that both Japan and South Korea were also considering opting for Linux over Micro$oft. Good. Perhaps here in the States were just a bunch of mindless drones, but at least other countries they know a wolf in sheep’s clothing when they see one!
Posted by Samolito 2003.11.17, 04:19
China isn’t the only nation considering deep-6’ing Bill Gates and Windoze. At the google news search engine, I discovered two articles. The first one stated how Thailand was opting to use Linux and open source over Microsoft. Another article told of how Brazil and it’s president have made the same decision.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is quoted as saying:
“Paying software licensing fees to companies like Microsoft is simply “unsustainable economically” when applications that run on the open-source Linux operating system are much cheaper…”
THAT THAT BILL GATES, YOU PROPRIETARY FUCK!!!!!
Posted by Mike Blais 2004.01.20, 00:10
I sticking with Windows 98 SE no matter what cool OS they come up with. I hate when they try to control what we do on our own computer. There be no freedom with the newer OS and I want freedome to do what I want on my computer. If big company want this for their computer then ok, but don’t shove this down our thought that come out of our ass. I hated ME and XP and I don’t care what new they have into this one I not buying into it.
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