Analysts: Sony 'Used Games Ban' Tech may Still Be Utilised for PS3

[macabre]

You can't write to the hard drive and check the keys from the hard drive?
What about the online service? You can't check there either for the keys.
.

Of course you can, but that`s not what that patent is about. It`s not gonna happen, have you even read what the other analyst say at the end of the article ?

 

[patsu]

I found the patent here: http://v3.espacenet.com/textdoc?DB=PAJ&&IDX=JP2004103239&F=0

Abstract of JP2004103239

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and method for protecting authorized software from used software and forged software in a recording medium.
SOLUTION: A disk 800 is loaded on a main body, and a code peculiar to the title is read out, and if this code is registered, the operation is shifted to the normal operation. If the code is not registered, authentication software is started to perform PG detection, and if the PG pattern matches with the authentication data, the PG pattern is stored in a COCT (contents on console table). In the case of mismatching, irregular processing is performed.
COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

So yeah... it's for a recording medium only (i.e., it can be applied when Blu-ray disks are pressed ?). Besides used software, it's also meant to prevent piracy.
Unfortunately, no one highlighted this aspect since it's not newsworthy.

 

[slider]

Besides used software, it's also meant to prevent piracy.
Unfortunately, no one highlighted this aspect since it's not newsworthy.

I sort of did (not very eloquently) - check out slider telling it how it is in post number 2!

 

[patsu]

Ah yes, now I understand your post. Without the abstract from the original patent, my mind was not interpreting it correctly.

 

[slider]

Ah yes, now I understand your post. Without the abstract from the original patent, my mind was not interpreting it correctly.

No worries matey - I wasn't looking for validation! I would +rep you if I could for being such a gent about it though.

OT though, anyone have an idea of how this patent (with all it's marking of discs) could translate to DL'ed content? I'm not particularly au fait with those sort of security systems.

Would it work in much the same way Sony's music players work? The HDD makes even more sense now. Originally I only thought of how it'd affect games. I didn't really think of the other benefits (dependent on POV of course). What I mean is DL-ing and the secure-ness of it all.

 

[cthellis42]

This is not real yet, but I don't think it is FUD from anyone. Michael patcher has been very positive about Sony before and even he thinks that they are playing with the idea.

I'm sure they ARE "playing with the idea." But there's a huge difference between "playing with the idea and seeing if it can be applied in functional ways to protect their games from piracy while perhaps offering extra capabilities" and "being completely retarded."

The complaints people have are with those who see what could possibly be done with a patent and jump directly to DEFCON 1. I tend to think Sony's investigating the possibilities (and, of course, "patenting something potentially useful before someone else does." ) rather than securing their ability to be completely braindead. I can see useful possibilities from this patented technology, but I can see nothing but negatives--BIG negatives--coming from the only thing anyone's talking about.


Someday I'd like to see more analysis actually... you know... analyzing. But, seemingly, that doesn't get you the pageviews.