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RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF ATTACKS ON AACS TECHNOLOGY



April 16, 2007 - AACS LA Announces Security Updates (Updated URLs)

In response to attacks against certain PC-based applications for playing HD DVD and Blu-ray movie discs, Advanced Access Content System Licensing Administrator, LLC (“AACS LA”) announces that it has taken action, in cooperation with relevant manufacturers, to expire the encryption keys associated with the specific implementations of AACS-enabled software.

Consumers can continue to enjoy content that is protected by the AACS technology by refreshing the encryption keys associated with their HD DVD and Blu-ray software players. This refresh process is accomplished via a straightforward online update.

Through this online update process, manufacturers are also able to see that consumers update their player implementations prior to distribution of encryption key expiration information via new movie discs.

Consumers are advised to check with the manufacturer of their AACS-enabled Blu-ray or HD DVD PC-based player to make sure you have installed the latest version. The following manufacturers have provided links to provide relevant information and facilitate consumer updating of their players:

InterVideo – publishers of WinDVD products http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/Press.jsp?mode=04-06-2007

 

CyberLink – publishers of PowerDVD products http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/patch/index.jsp

 

February 15, 2007

Regarding the reported attacks on 2/13/2007, AACS has confirmed that an additional key (called a “processing key”) has been published on public websites without authorization. This is a variation of the previously reported attack (a compromise of a specific implementation) on one or more players sold by AACS licensees. Although a different key was extracted, this represents no adverse impact on the ability of the AACS ecosystem to address the attack. All technical and legal measures applicable to the previously reported attack will be applicable against this attack as well.


January 24, 2007

AACS LA has confirmed that AACS Title Keys have appeared on public web sites without authorization. Such unauthorized disclosures indicate an attack on one or more players sold by AACS licensees. This development is limited to the compromise of specific implementations, and does not represent an attack on the AACS system itself, nor is it exclusive to any particular format. Instead it illustrates the need for all AACS licensees to follow the Compliance and Robustness Rules set forth in the AACS license agreements to help ensure that product implementations are not compromised. AACS LA employs both technical and legal measures to deal with attacks such as this one, and AACS LA is using all appropriate remedies at its disposal to address the attack.


NEXT GENERATION CONTENT PROTECTION SPECIFICATION -
ADVANCED ACCESS CONTENT SYSTEM (AACS) – MADE AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING

Technology, Entertainment and CE Industry Alliance Collaborates to Expedite Consumer Access to Next-Generation High-Definition Digital Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, Calif., February 21, 2006 - AACS LA founders IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Sony, Toshiba, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Studios today announced the immediate availability of AACS (ADVANCED ACCESS CONTENT SYSTEM) under interim licensing agreements.

    The AACS specification accelerates the ability of consumers to enjoy exciting, new, flexible entertainment experiences and storage options, while continuing to provide the traditional, straightforward playback mode, for the next generation of prerecorded and recordable optical media such as Blu-Ray and HD DVD.  Additionally, AACS is designed to create unprecedented flexibility, portability and security for entertainment content to be enjoyed on networked home, portable PC or CE devices.

    “This technology is the product of unprecedented collaboration between the   consumer electronics, IT and entertainment industries to facilitate the next generation of high-definition entertainment,” said Michael B. Ayers, AACS LA spokesperson.  “We’re confident that AACS will immediately enable a host of compelling new digital entertainment experiences for consumers around the globe.”

    “While next generation HD players are in final assembly, and movies are being mastered, the AACS architects are ensuring consumers can enjoy the HD picture, sound and robust portability potential of AACS without any further delays. Much more than just HD movies, AACS delivers new consumer interactivity, portability and feature enhancement after purchase on a scale like no other consumer digital entertainment system can,” said Richard Doherty, Research Director for the Envisioneering Group. “AACS represents a cross-industry team of chip, consumer electronics, PC designers and content creators, all dedicated to enriching the consumer’s home and portable entertainment experience.”

    The final license agreement for AACS is expected to be announced in the coming months.   In the meantime, companies in the consumer electronics, IT and entertainment industries are now able to develop devices and solutions based on the published specs and compliance rules.
More information on AACS LA and ADVANCED ACCESS CONTENT SYSTEM can be found on the group’s website, www.aacsla.com.

About AACS LA

    Founded by IBM, Intel Corporation, Microsoft, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric), Sony, Toshiba, The Walt Disney Company and Warner Bros. Studios, the charter of AACS LA is to enhance consumers’ entertainment experience offered by the next-generation of media through flexible usage models.  AACS LA also offers to content owners the enabling technology they need to confidently release their content. Content owners, service providers and manufacturers alike benefit from the ADVANCED ACCESS CONTENT SYSTEM through ease of implementation and the opportunity to reach and serve a broad cross section of consumers. For more information visit www.aacsla.com.

Press inquiries should be directed to Edelman Worldwide.

Jacqueline Price
Edelman for AACS
T: 323.202.1060
E: Jacqueline.Price@Edelman.com

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