Sony develops new CLEFIA DRM

Shocking news here: Sony's conjuring up yet another proprietary format instead of just making nice with the ones already available. Now that you've picked yourself up off the floor, we're sure you'll be delighted to know that Sony has developed another form of DRM, which we're sure will be completely and utterly dismantled before it has even a chance to really catch on. Nevertheless, the CLEFIA block cipher algorithm reportedly delivers "advanced copyright protection and authentication," and is slated to be used in various forms of "digital data distribution" including music and images. Sony is gloating that its newfangled DRM technology is extremely efficient and quick, but we can't help but chuckle at the "state-of-the-art cryptanalysis techniques" which Sony claims will "achieve sufficient immunity against known (keyword: known) cryptanalytic attacks." Of course, Sony seems to be shooting in the dark with this stuff at the moment, but it does hope to implement it in "AV devices," smart cards, and mobile devices if anyone will take 'em up on it.

[Via TGDaily]

[John Shillabeer @ Mar 25th 2007 9:33AM]

$20 that it'll fail within a week.

[ph @ Mar 25th 2007 9:43AM]

More DRM? What's the point? EVERY "protection" is cracked almost instantaneously.

Every DVD I have advertises "copy protection", but it doesn't even try to complain when I rip them.

DRM is a joke.

[Ed @ Mar 25th 2007 9:43AM]

Wow, I even heard that the BD+ DRM Codec will be used soon for ALL BluRay Disc, and now this? I feel sorry for people still supporting this trashy company.

[SigmaProjects.org @ Mar 25th 2007 9:47AM]

Goddamnit!

Cant we just get along. Sony is always doing stupid crap like this. Microsoft is always doing dumb things of their own. I'm sure Apple is just sitting back and laughing at both companies.

[DAZA @ Mar 25th 2007 9:54AM]

Oh yeah, I completely agree. Because Apple aren't using DRM in iTunes at all, and they totally aren't backing Blu-Ray.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Mar 25th 2007 10:06AM]

Will the guys let me ever lift ban on Sony products or not?

Sony now started pissing its customers more and more. As if they hadn't enough problems. What are the guys thinking??

Seems my buy of PS3 gets postponed indefinitely. And my 1080i TV isn't supported yet anyway...

[ssuk @ Mar 25th 2007 10:21AM]

This is just done to win the hearts and minds of big movie companies who are being tricked into thinking Piracy is on a larger scale than what it really is, thank the MPAA and RIAA for this.

[jono1 @ Mar 25th 2007 10:27AM]

Well, at least they've developed somethng with a pretty-sounding name this time around...

[schlomo @ Mar 25th 2007 11:12AM]

actually, I think it sounds more like an STD than a protection algorithm/DRM system

[Rob @ Mar 25th 2007 10:37AM]

Cite your sources, rumor-monger/propaganda blogger.
For those who want to be enlightened, you can read the article from
http://www.itnewsonline.com/showstory.php?storyid=9113&scatid=4&contid=2

CLEFIA will be discussed by Sony at an international conference ("Fast Software Encryption 2007"). This is a result of research work that *can* make its way into commercial use.

This just goes to show how ignorant you are with product development.

[TheDude @ Mar 25th 2007 10:55AM]

Hey, why don't you guys read a little more carefully - it's a crypto algorithm, not a DRM system. It may be a part of a DRM scheme at some point, but I don't see anyone bashing the inventors of DES or AES here...

[walk2k @ Mar 25th 2007 1:33PM]

Yeah it's funny isn't it - everyone sings the praises of "encryption" until the "bad guys" want to use it, then it's suddenly called the evil "DRM".

[Rich @ Mar 25th 2007 12:27PM]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Clefia sounds like an embarrassing venereal disease...

[kingofwale @ Mar 25th 2007 11:13AM]

First of all, let me say that I detest DRM.

Not that I have any problem with artists getting paid for the work they put up, it's just that DRMs DON'T WORK half the time. That's why some people would rather illegally obtain things than paying them (even if they can and want to), JUST to not have DRM.. Apple Itune song, anyone? (I want it in my other MP3 players)

now, Sony bashing aside, if Sony can come up with a DRM that works and yet also ensure the content providers getting paid. I might even embrace it somehow.

[Mark Tomlin @ Mar 25th 2007 12:15PM]

Sony, stop making proprietary formats and DRM, nobody wants it. Do how ever make your play station marketable. You could start by stop being such pricks to your customers.

[Craig @ Mar 25th 2007 12:19PM]

Well, now we know what DRM the PSP/PS3 will use for movie renting/purchasing. They've been working to get the DRM kinks out of that system for a while. I'd bet this is it.

[Rich @ Mar 25th 2007 12:29PM]

And, I might add, I want a venereal disease about as much as I want DRM...

[mattmitch @ Mar 25th 2007 12:59PM]

Yay more drm that helps trojans get in our computers.
(oh yea I just remembered I dont have to worry about this crap I have a mac)

[walk2k @ Mar 25th 2007 1:33PM]

What the fsk are you smacking about?

Apple pretty much --INVENTED-- DRM with iTunes.

[paloooz @ Mar 25th 2007 2:17PM]

Really? I wasn't aware that iTunes existed in the 80's and sold VHS tapes with Macrovision DRM.

That's strange. You learn something new every day, I guess.

[mattmitch @ Mar 25th 2007 3:59PM]

Yes but you seem forget that Apples drm doesnt hide itself in the roots of your os and allow malicious code to hide itself.

[Diddle @ Mar 25th 2007 1:57PM]

Sony continues to create proprietary formats which just rub the public the wrong way. Why they think this is a good idea, never mind necessary, is beyond me. I think a simple "Up yours, Sony" is in order here.

[3rdsun @ Mar 25th 2007 3:06PM]

I thought Sony rootkit was their last and most embarasing attempt at DRM. They never learn do they

[Vinn @ Mar 25th 2007 3:15PM]

$20 that it'll be cracked within a week.

[xpankrat @ Mar 25th 2007 6:45PM]

A lot of people are overreacting.

CLEFIA is a new encryption algorithm that allows for a very fast hardware implementation and that is comparable in strength to AES.

CLEFIA is NOT a DRM mechanism as it does not deal with how encryption keys are managed. It only provides means for encrypting the data when the keys are given.

See here for details -

http://www.huliq.com/16091/sony-develops-clefia

[matjet @ Mar 25th 2007 7:19PM]

Tell me, where exactly, ANYWHERE in the article, does it mention drm? this is purely an encryption algorithm. like for, you know, so people don't hack your phone.

[MSteele @ Mar 25th 2007 7:41PM]

Just what the world needs, more DRM, and another Sony proprietary format. If consumers would boycott products laden with crap like this, it would eventually disappear. Just say no to Vista until Microsoft ends it's DRM attempts (so that we can finally get decent drivers!), and just say no to this silly Sony DRM, and say no to iTunes.

Maybe then they will get the message.

[Trent @ Mar 26th 2007 11:58AM]

xpankrat

Who cares, CLEFIA will be another enabler of my loss of "fair use" rights.

Nuff' said.