Block Party

StarForce Must Die

The Escapist contacted Moscow-based StarForce Technologies to learn how the company is doing amid controversy. Public relations manager Denis Zhidkov answered:

"We have significantly improved our overall image this year. We started with going through Microsoft certification and passed 'Designed for Windows XP' tests. Shortly after that, we received a U.S. patent for our optical media protection technology, as well as two Russian patents. We are growing each year, and 2006 turns out to be even better than we expected. We are definitely pleased, especially considering the unexpected challenges we faced last spring.

"We are doing our best to make the most compatible and reliable systems that please the publisher and the end users; however, it is not always possible, simply because copy protection will never be popular. Imagine this - your car breaks down, and instead of taking it to the mechanic to be fixed, you go online and start complaining. Such behavior cannot make anything better. People that seem to run into problems with StarForce-protected products need to contact directly our support service: support@star-force.com."

Bill Harris, a financial professional in Austin, Texas, has written about StarForce in his unpretentious yet addicting game blog, (mis)named Dubious Quality. Commenting to The Escapist, Harris says, "Our rights as consumers are getting absolutely trampled. And the kind of protection we need is just common sense." Harris suggests this declaration of principles:

1. If the copy protection scheme is not clearly labeled on the game box, and I decide not to install the game because of the copy protection, I should be able to return the game for a refund.
2. Any copy protection that's going to be installed on my system should be clearly identified - not by one line in a five-screen licensing agreement, but by a separate identifier entirely.
3. After copy protection has been installed, I should receive a notification every time it runs. And it should never run unless I'm trying to start the game.
4. If a copy protection program does find something it deems "suspicious," it should notify me immediately. And if the game isn't allowed to start as a result, there should be a screen telling me where I can go for more information.
5. Any copy protection that adversely affects the performance of my hardware is not "copy protection" - it's malware.