Summary: Windows Marketplace has its copy protection mechanism broken almost immediately; future of Windows Mobile seems grim

ONE of the arguments against DRM is that it's always ineffective anyway. It's not the main argument, but it is an argument that proves to be correct time after time in real-world scenarios. Microsoft is no exception and in fact it took just 2 hours to crack Windows Marketplace, according to this new report.

Earlier too Chainfire had found a hack for the CAB file based copy protection in less than five minutes. Now, Chainfire again cracked the code of protection layer.

Obviously, Chainfire won't be releasing the hack to public as his intention is to make Microsoft aware about the weak copy-protection measures implemented. This might shake up the developers who'd be looking forward to make some money off the Windows Marketplace.

Users of the already-struggling Windows Mobile may find themselves under fewer restrictions. Meanwhile we find that Windows Mobile sales are down very sharply ("Windows Mobile loses nearly a third of market share" says the latter report) and Mini-Microsoft, an anonymous Microsoft employee, leads to more dysphoria. DRM is not the way to save Windows Mobile and speculations have just returned that Microsoft might buy RIM in the future. Sales of smartphones are generally up because they offer a richer experience, whereas fewer people buy full-sized computers where Microsoft has leverage. Linux is very triumphant in this former, ever-emerging area. ⬆

"DRM is the future."

--Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO