As we already reported on, a simple crack could be used to strip the Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools in place on the applications from the Marketplace thus allowing a free download and install of any app on any Windows Phone 7 device. This situation could have easily turned dire for Microsoft, but surprisingly  it took a completely different and unexpected turn. The developer of FreeMarketplace, the tool needed to crack the DRM, has decided to turn all his information and knowledge over to Microsoft and has begun to find a permanent solution.

The developer named Tobias, the mastermind behind the crack, believes he has worked out a potential solution for the problem. The only downside is the fix is not permenant and not completely fool-proof. The whole problem with the DRM that Microsoft uses, is that its the exact same DRM for every app that is available on the Marketplace. This means that once a crack has been found for one app, every app essentially has been cracked all at once. With every DRM being the same, an automated tool works perfectly.

Tobias states,“The code and the guides I gave you here will not stop piracy. Anyone with the corresponding skills can still startup reflector, go through your code, remove any checkes, remove DRM and install it on a device. YES, but it got a lot more difficult to do it in an automated fashion. So, there might be one or two who can still break your security measures by hand but the masses won’t be able as there is no generic tool available”. Even though it’s not a permanent fix, at least its a deterrent until Microsoft decides to step up and finds a fix that works for all apps. What do you think about Tobias decision to turn over his app to Microsoft instead of starting a storm of piracy? If a single developer can find a huge problem AND a temporary fix, then why do you think Microsoft is dragging its feet on responding to this issue?

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[Source: WPCentral]

Authors: V_Geek

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