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Controversial StarForce Copy Protection Creators Quizzed

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the force-not-with-you? dept.

Thanks to FiringSquad for its interview with the creators of the StarForce copy protection scheme for PC videogames. The author explains: "In recent months there's been an increasing awareness and alarm over StarForce copy protection. It's actually a driver that installs itself with the [Windows] games that come shipped with it, and originally it didn't uninstall when the game was uninstalled." StarForce's Abbie Sommer argues the advantages of "driver-level copy protection", explaining: "The drivers are what prevents the use of kernel debugger utilities such as SoftICE, Cool Debugger, Soft Snoop etc. Also the drivers prevent emulators from spoofing a drive, and thwart burning tools such as Alcohol 120%." The author concludes by injecting a little personal opinion into the mix, arguing: "PC games will never go away, but if the market keeps shrinking due to the increasing ease of piracy... then the number and quality of games will almost certainly decrease."

6 of 952 comments (clear)

  1. WTF? by Graymalkin · · Score: 4, Funny

    Man at Computer: Hey...what the hell?
    Dork Behind Him: What is the matter with you?
    Chick: Looks like he ran afoul of Star Force's copyright protection!
    Dork: Ha ha!
    Chick: *snicker*
    Man: Shut the hell up you two!
    Dork: OMG YOUR MEGAHURTZ HAS BEEN STOL3D!!
    Chick: All your CD-ROM belong to Star Force.

    --
    I'm a loner Dottie, a Rebel.
  2. Re:And punish legitimate users? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..we had visions of software and content being distributed instantly. Hell, by 1889 all drivers I needed for my job were.

    Mr. Babbages Line Printing and Mimographic Aperatus for the Laying Out and Production of Tabular Information and Mathmatical Tables
    A Driver for use with Mr. Babbages Differential Engine No. #1
    Driver verion 1.253 Patch Level 2

    Warning! Women should not attempt the installation or operation of this device driver!

  3. Re:And punish legitimate users? by roie_m · · Score: 3, Funny

    Grandparent: "by 1889 all drivers I needed for my job ..."
    Parent: "Steam [steampowered.com]?"

    Am I the only one who finds this hilarious?

  4. Re:And punish legitimate users? by Jaysyn · · Score: 3, Funny

    How about that, I'm boycotting them & didn't even know it.

    Jaysyn

    --
    There is a war going on for your mind.
  5. Re:And punish legitimate users? by infinite9 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Boycotting it won't work.

    This is true. Only by defeating Malak can we bring about the destruction of the Star Forge.

    Pazaak anyone?

    --
    Disconnect your television. Do your own research. Draw your own conclusions. They're probably lying. Don't be a sheep.
  6. Re:And punish legitimate users? by snuf23 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hate to feed a troll but:

    "We don't stop playing because we grow old... we grow old because we stop playing."
    -George Bernard Shaw

    --
    Sometimes my arms bend back.