Microsoft keeps patching it and hackers keep hacking it. Microsoft’s Digital Rights Management just got cracked again in the age old DRM battle (although I guess it’s not really “age old” since this hasn’t really been going on for that long). Word has it that the new version of FairUse4M (which is apparently really called FairUse4WM, v1.3 Fix 2 if you wanna get technical) even features a drag and drop interface to make things even more user friendly. No need for that XP and Windows Media Player 10 with that subscription music service - at least until they repatch it again which will probably happen by Thursday or something…
FairUse4WM works only on Windows Media DRM 10 and DRM 11 and at least according the board that states

“This program is ONLY designed and intended to enable fair-use rights to PURCHASED media.
- While I haven’t been able to support license expiration/rental detection, please don’t use this to abuse rental license
- This code does NOT allow import of KID/SID pairs to preclude its use for piracy”

So, in a nutshell the program will strip the DRM from any PlaysForSure file, whether you’ve purchased or just rented the song.

Just in case you missed it.

Earlier today, courts denied an emergency hearing on the internet radio case. If unaffected by 7/15, internet radio royalty fees will skyrocket, with the ultimate outcome being a huge hit for internet radio. I urge you to go here and learn more about this case.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/c7iVDpry6ws" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Go check out the two part series of Synthesis’ Pepper Interview from Warped Tour 07. Meet this hot trio from Kona, HI, and watch as Kaleo Wassman, Bret Bollinger and Yesod Williams tell you their deepest darkest secrets.

We don’t give enough love to our Canadian friends. Hey guys. Now that hockey season’s over, you’re probably looking for something to do, and what better than seeing live music? Hiero Imperium All-Star Del The Funky Homosapien is hitting the road across Canada with stablemate A-Plus. Del is hitting the road in support of his upcoming new album 11th Hour, while A-Plus will be promoting his latest, Last Good Deed, which is currently out in stores. Dates after the jump. (more…)

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/DFdFMYpfjfY" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

I’ve watched Dave Smallen (aka Street to Nowhere) grow from this poor starving artist outside of local shows begging to be heard to a Capitol Records act rocking huge festivals. If you’re a Chico local, you might remember him from his set during ‘Chico Indie Fest’ about 2 years ago. Its amazing to think in a day and age that puts so much stress on formulaic bands, a Bob Dylan, d.i.y. persona can still work his ass off perfecting a craft and make a difference in people’s lives.

I bring this up for (semi) related reason: Street to Nowhere are, in fact, card carrying badasses, but wouldn’t be where they are without their local support that just pushed the hell out of him to who ever they met. We all get really lazy at times when it comes to local artists, using lame excuses to get out of spending $3 and 2 hours of our time (the best I’ve heard is, “Nah, I’m not going… that venue smells like cat piss”). The fact is that local musicians are like little puppies: they need to be told they’re doing good, given attention and fed every now and then. Please, take care of your local band. K thnkx.