Blu-ray BD+ copy protection is cracked
Yet another proof that no copy protection is unbeatable, which again makes one wonder why do they put so much money and effort in developing them. Usually the protections get cracked and the one to beat the protection gets famous, like Jon Lech Johanssen aka ‘DVD Jon’, who craked the CSS protection used on DVDs. The story with BD+ is different, since this time the crackers have a pure commericial interest. Yes indeed, it is show-time once again for the Antiguan SlySoft, Inc., who make business by selling protection decyphering software for individuals. They have today sent out the following press-release about their new AnyDVD v6.4.0.0 software, which is able to bypass the BD+ protection with ease. Their press-release is interesting in many ways, as their CEO Giancarlo Bettini couldn’t resist the urge to touch the topic of HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format war. I am not sure what are his interests in making this statement, as it really makes no sense - AnyDVD may be a popular software, but it is certainly not a deciding factor on any market.
AnyDVD HD now with BD+ support
Film studios that have switched to Blu-ray may have crowed a little too early because the much-praised BD+ copy protection is an ad absurdum affair now, too. With today’s release of version 6.4.0.0 of AnyDVD HD it is now also possible to make backup security copies of Blu-ray discs protected with BD+.
Richard Doherty of the Envisioneering Group will have to revise his statement from July, 2007 regarding BD+: “BD+, unlike AACS which suffered a partial hack last year, won’t likely be breached for 10 years”. It is worth mentioning that since he made that statement only eight months have gone by.
Peer van Heuen, head of High-Definition technologies at SlySoft adds: “Admittedly, we are not really so fast with this because actually we had intended to publish this release already in December as promised. However, it was decided for strategic reasons to wait a bit for the outcome of the “format war” between HD DVD and Blu-ray. On top of that, we first wanted to see our assumptions confirmed about the in the meantime released BD+ titles regarding the BD+ Virtual Machine. We are rather proud to have brought back to earth the highly-praised and previously “unbreakable” BD+. However, we must also admit that the Blu-ray titles released up to now have not fully exploited the possibilities of BD+. Future releases will undoubtedly have a modified and more polished BD+ protection, but we are well prepared for this and await the coming developments rather relaxed”. Van Heuen adds jokingly: “The worst-case scenario then is our boss locks us up with only bread and water in the company dungeon for three months until we are successful again”.
Giancarlo Bettini, SlySoft CEO, adds, “We are convinced that today’s release will give the high-density market new impulse. It remains unclear just what direction this will take. On the one hand, it can give Blu-ray a boost because the end-user has the certainty in knowing now that a backup security copy can also be made from Blu-ray disks protected by BD+. On the other hand, one or more film studios may want to reconsider their withdrawal from HD DVD and Toshiba could also grant the high-density DVD a reprieve. HD DVD certainly deserves a second chance, particularly since HD DVD hardware has obtained a higher market share within the last months than its BD counterpartfrom SONY. In any event, I wish all those involved a happy Easter from the bottom of my heart.”
Source: SlySoft, Inc. press release
