eHomeUpgrade on FacebookeHomeUpgrade on FriendFeedeHomeUpgrade on TwittereHomeUpgrade on YouTubeSubscribe via E-mailSubscribe via RSS

Strip Windows Media DRM with FairUse4WM

By Alexander Grundner | August 25th, 2006 Interest Level: SMOKING HOT


fairuse4wm screenshot

It looks like the day we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. A freeware GUI application built on top of drmdbg called FairUse4WM is now available for download. Ryan Block at Engadget confirms that it works with subscription and pay-for-download music services that support PlaysForSure devices but not with video services like Vongo (at least not yet). Additionally, Ryan states the removal of the DRM key does not affect quality since it’s not transcoding the file in the process. For screenshots of the application, click here, and for a summary from the developer, see below.

FairUse4WM – a WM/DRM removal program
FairUse4WM is a GUI version of drmdbg that supports individualization version .3930 and some WM11 versions.

Basic requirements
1. Only works on individualized DRM file
2. Requires WM10 or WM11. Won’t work on WM9.

The program’s functioning can be verified with “Demo” DRM files from ezdrm.com, as well as those from other Microsoft Solution partners.

This program is ONLY designed and intended to enable fair-use rights to PURCHASED media.
- While I haven’t been able to support license expiration/rental detection, please don’t use this to abuse rental license
- This code does NOT allow import of KID/SID pairs to preclude its use for piracy

Note that some WM installations will have multiple ECC key-pairs, so you will likely have to “Extract Keys” using multiple licensed files. If you find a file that doesn’t convert, try extracting keys wth it. Once your whole set of keys is extracted, you will no longer need to run WM per file.

Finally, I’d like to thank the people who helped me test this program. Thanks for the suggestions, and yes, even the problems. With your help, I hope I am able to release a stable tool for Wm conversion.

Comments | Post via Twitter / Facebook ID or Register

Short URL: http://bit.ly/czk5JM [+]  Filed in: Software  
____________
Alexander Grundner is the Editor & Publisher of eHomeUpgrade. He has been following "Digital Home" developments since 2003. He's also a fan of cross-platform, open development software and industry standards related to media, networking, and the web. You can catch his daily tech musings on Twitter: @agrundner.
[Subscribe via RSS 2.0 | Follow us on Twitter]
  • I just found this on Engadget:

    An Open Letter to Microsoft - Why you shouldn't kill FairUse4WM





    They have a different spin on using FairUse4WM on music from subscription services -- citing interoperability and flexibility. While those are two good reasons, it doesn't safeguard the content during its terms of use. There's a reason why, say, a movie you rent online is $0.99 and the download-to-own version is $9.99.
  • It's not about being cheap or a thief. It's about freedom to do what you want with the media you purchase. Unlike most of the anti-DRM advocates, I believe DRM has a place when it comes to rental or subscription services, but not on download-to-own content.
  • PoorGreg
    I want everyone who is happy about this to realize they've almost put me out of a job adding DRM to Windows Media files so people can buy movies and music from my company. There's a team of QA people, some other developers, and some management too who are affected.




    It's a good thing I've got some other Windows Media development experience, but I just can't see how this is good overall. Can't afford a buck or two for movie or song? Then how did you afford the computer you own?!
blog comments powered by Disqus