If you're on the Internet, you've probably already encountered, in some strange fashion, the supposedly dreaded HD-DVD hexadecimal code that dooms the HD-DVD's security. Here's a little history on that, and we'll show how it's somehow connected (even in an infinitesimal manner) to the wonderful world of gaming.

We here at QJ.NET first came across the code, or at least, word that HD-DVD's security got breached, around early January this year. Back then people were speculating that it was just a hoax, and many doubted that it was a real breach. You know how things are in the "Interwebs"; people scream "Fake!" and often times for good reason.

Anyhow, it was mostly speculative until the AACS itself admitted later that same month that the encryption of the AACS system had been bypassed. But they were bold enough to show confidence in their system. They said, "It does not represent an attack on the AACS system itself." They defended themselves by saying that the widespread copying of movies is impractical given the large file sized in high-definition discs.

Of course, the mouth says one thing, but the hand that gives out cease and desist orders does something else.

Read the rest after the Jump! Click on the "Full Article" link below.

The whole Internet community is reeling with the issue concerning Digital Rights Management (DRM) and user-generated online sites. As you all know, a software key that could break the encryption of HD-DVD format has been unleashed online and thousands of websites published the key.

DRM groups say the bloggers just crossed the line this time. The said key was published on Digg and needless to say, it was picked up by God knows how many websites. An executive from Advanced Access Content System (AACS) said that they are considering to confront those who published the exploit with "legal and technical tools."

The bloggers, on the other hand, commented that they are protected by the First Amendment. Digg management, for a time, removed the entries containing the key. However, the users posted an even more number of websites containing the exploit and Digg eventually acquiesce with its users. A part of Founder Kevin Rose's statement reads,

After seeing hundreds of stories and reading thousands of comments, you've made it clear. You'd rather see Digg go down fighting than bow down to a bigger company. We hear you, and effective immediately we won't delete stories or comments containing the code and will deal with whatever the consequences might be.

AACS Chairman Michael Ayers seemed amused by this as he referred to Digg's decision as an "interesting twist." Ayers added that people can talk about the pros and the cons of the matter but publishing the software key itself is a different matter. When you do that, he explained, you leave the "realm of protected speech." He also released a statement telling the users that the key is already invalid,

We will take whatever action is appropriate. We hope the public respects our position and complies with applicable laws. There has been a lot of misunderstanding. The key that has been leaked has now been revoked. This is the first round and will not be the last.

AACS, reportedly, is now employing stronger tools and copy protection system that have been designed to counter these breaches.

 

If you're a well-informed citizen of the Internet, then you're probably aware of the backlash that Digg is getting for their reported censorship of the HD-DVD code that makes decrypting possible. (Yes, the code that's been out for around a month now.) It's basically a Digg-riot.

Although they initially made a call to moderate their posts, and remove stories that include references to bits of code that the powers-that-be in charge of the security of HD-DVD find questionable, it seems that Kevin Rose has decided to give in to public demand.

Rose writes on Digg the Blog:

But now, after seeing hundreds of stories and reading thousands of comments, you’ve made it clear. You’d rather see Digg go down fighting than bow down to a bigger company. We hear you, and effective immediately we won’t delete stories or comments containing the code and will deal with whatever the consequences might be.

If we lose, then what the hell, at least we died trying.

Digg on,

Kevin

Will Digg die trying? If it would then that would be quite disappointing. Especially since it seems that spreading the codes has become a small Web 2.0 movement in itself. Although the blogosphere seems to be helping in spreading the code, Wikipedia, one of the bastions of Web 2.0, seems cautious. For one thing, the HD-DVD Night article in Wikipedia is still down.

This blogger of course, is a big "pussy" as Niero of Destructoid would say. Hey, I have to eat after all, and I don't want to get into trouble. So, in an effort to satisfy that part of me that loves to listen to Rage Against the Machine music, here's a half-assed attempt: ...D9-74-E3... (not the actual code) you know how the rest of it goes. Anyway, I'll cut it at "E3" that way it's "gaming" related.

So what are the powers-that-be to do now? Especially since the code has become a meme of sorts? What's your take on all of this? Let us know.

We're tagging this under Blu-ray too as it partially relies on AACS (the security that's compromised by the now popular code) to encrypt data. Blu-Ray has two more levels of protection: ROM-MARK (a per factory watermark, which might revoke mass production rights from a factory but not, it seems individuals) and BD+, another encryption system, unlike HD-DVD which relies just on AACS.