Muslix64 Cracks Blu-Ray Copy

The hacker called Muslix64 who last month cracked the AACS (Advanced Access Content System) copy protection on movies in HD DVD format has now done the same with the AACS version that protects Blu-ray Disc high-def movies!

Having already hacked HD DVD copy protection last month coder ‘muslix64’ clearly decided it would be rude if he didn’t do the same with Blu-ray. Much to the joy of the public and the fury of Hollywood execs muslix64 has now announced he’s cracked Sony’s HD optical format too.

Speaking to slyck.com he revealed the much lauded DRM copy protection on both formats was circumvented not by tackling the encryption technology itself but rather by obtaining the relatively unprotected ‘decryption key’ from each disc. Once a user extracts this they can decrypt the encryption particular to each disc and produce copies.

An 18KB tool has been posted by muslix64 which enables users to obtain the keys to Blu-ray discs.

Details of the new crack by muslix64 are in Doom 9's Decrypting forum, where the HD DVD crack was first revealed.

Frustratingly however both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs can have their decryption keys updated so compromised keys can in theory be ‘banned’ and playback software will refuse to run them. Whether Hollywood will want to run the risk of invaliding millions of titles when the new keys can be just as easily obtained is open to debate.

Either way, it is clear that despite all the money thrown at next generation DRM copies will inevitably surface. The bigger question now is whether people can be bothered to download 15 to 30 gigabytes just to watch a movie