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Phoenix Bios to Incorporate DRM

Posted by michael on from the goodbye-free-software dept.

defishguy writes "Extreme Tech is reporting that Phoenix Technologies is shopping a DRM-capable BIOS to OEMS. Reportedly the BIOS with DRM enabled allows for software to be tracked and traced from one PC to another." See also this older story about AMI.

8 of 530 comments (clear)

  1. Will this not require an DRM aware OS? by nlinecomputers · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Could this kill Linux or even Windows XP if it doesn't have the ability to work with the bios?

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    1. Re:Will this not require an DRM aware OS? by LordNimon · · Score: 4, Interesting

      An app can't talk to the BIOS unless the OS lets it. If your OS doesn't provide an API that the app can use to get the DRM information, then the DRM feature of your BIOS is effectively disabled.

      --
      And the men who hold high places must be the ones who start
      To mold a new reality... closer to the heart
  2. This IS scary. by garcia · · Score: 5, Interesting

    An OEM will also have to decide whether or not to allow an end user to turn the DRM feature off, Eades said.

    This option is most likely be available for a while. You will have the option to turn off the default enabled DRM system in your computer. As more and more people become comfortable (and ignorant) of the fact that DRM is enabled (and more and more companies start enforcing restrictions via the DRM'd BIOS) we will have less and less choice but to have it enabled.

    This *IS* scary. DRM in Word is *NOT*. Just to clear that up.

  3. Re:That's fine by me... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I'm just begining to wonder how LinuxBIOS is getting on. That project could prove prophetically useful, soon.

  4. What the Fsck!! by cOdEgUru · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The DRM software will be shipped as a default option inside the cME package. "It's up to the OEM whether or not to insert it on the machine," he said. "We are offering it as a default option and it's up to them to remove it."

    An OEM will also have to decide whether or not to allow an end user to turn the DRM feature off, Eades said.

    Since when does these schmucks start thinking that I as a consumer doesnt have the right to take apart, enable/disable features, and smash to smithreens whatever shit I buy from them?

    Every other product or service that we are seeing these days for sale are increasingly tipping the balance in favor of the seller. Let buyer go to hell, be the new motto.

    I can understand the importance of having digitally signed code and safe code, but tracking software across PC's sound a lot like 1984 than 2004.

    --
    Rapid Nirvana
  5. And all of a sudden... by Seth+Finklestein · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...Apple becomes the only computer maker with its hands clean.

    Think about it: most PC enthusiasts around here build their own computers. However, now they will be faced with DRM at the motherboard layer. No matter of software liberation, from Linux to FreeBSD, will be able to cleanse motherboards of this impurity. Apple, on the other hand, has never incorporated any form of DRM into their basic system. Sure, there's iTunes music store, but its DRM is limited to the application level. I boycott iTunes because I care about the Right of First Sale, for example.

    I know that it hurts to pay an additional $2,000 for the convenience of a computer company that respects your Freedom, but trust me: once you go Mac, you don't go black, Jack!

    --
    I'm not Seth Finkelstein. I still speak the truth.
  6. Time to start stocking- by IWantMoreSpamPlease · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Pre-DRM enabled motherboards. I have quite a few Asus boards here, good up to (IIRC) Athlon 3000s. Should be good enough for a long time to come for the average customer.

    What concerns me, is the addition of DRM into, say, the next generation video cards. It's all well and good to "merely" have an Intel P4 3.0 Ghz, or Amd Athlon 3000+, but what happens when Doom3 or beyond comes out and a new video card is needed? What is said new card has DRM on it, and decides not to play any videos you happen to own?

    In short, where do we draw the line? Corps have finally started to get wise on the old adage about a frog and boiling water, it's high time Joe Generic does as well.

    --
    So rise up, all ye lost ones, as one, we'll claw the clouds.
  7. Any site that lists DRM products? by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Interesting
    There's a project for an aspiring /.er! Do some php site that lists:

    Crippled CDs
    BIOS
    motherboards
    Hard Drives
    Consumer Audio (Minidisk, MP3 players)
    Music (Buymusic.com - I have a special grudge against these guys, see my journal.)Itunes (gotta be fair, eh?)
    Video Players
    ect. ect. (Don't forget MS!)

    This would be an excellent way for others to be educated on the general poo that is DRM, and also give regular joes a list of stuff *NOT* to buy. Perhaps a forum reviews and on breaking/ circumventing/ turning DRM back upon its evil creators would be in order as well.

    Sadly, the only way to vote and be heard is with $$$, these days.