London - The developers of anti-piracy technology used on next-generation DVDs plan to pursue the thousands of websites that have published a software key that can crack the security, the BBC reported.

The companies behind AACS (Advanced Access Content System) -- who include IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Sony, Toshiba, Disney and Warner Bros. -- have sent cease and desist letters to many websites, including the news aggregation site Digg, which tried to remove posts before its users swamped the site with references to the offending code.

A Google search reveals that nearly 700,000 Web pages have now published the key.

"Some people clearly think it's a First Amendment issue. There is no intent from us to interfere with people's right to discuss copy protection. We respect free speech," Michael Ayers, chair of the AACS business group, told the BBC.

"But a line is crossed when we start seeing keys being distributed and tools for circumvention. You step outside of the realm of protected free speech then."

Ayers added that AACS is reviewing "legal and technical tools" it might use against publishers of the key.

Related Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6623331.stm

http://www.aacsla.com

http://tinyurl.com/yohpm3 (DMW previous coverage)