The public availability of the encryption keys for next-generation Blu-ray and HD DVD movies comes a month after a hacker by the name of Muslix64 first cracked the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) used by both hi-def DVD formats.

Both the title keys and a number of decrypted films have been posted on peer-to-peer web sites for downloading and copying, a spokesman for the AACS Licensing Authority said.

Last week, the AACS LA has officially confirmed the encryption system's breach issuing the following statement: "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."

Read related story. Read an interview with Muslix64 in www.slick.com

Story filed 28.01.07