Earlier this week, security analyst Peter Gutmann explored how much of the DRM functionality built into Vista came at a cost: namely an operating system that did less, was less efficient and cost more. According to Gutmann, "The Vista Content Protection specification could very well constitute the longest suicide note in history." His argument is that Microsoft is not only trying to prevent broadband piracy distribution, but also lock down HD content distribution and corner the market (a la iTunes).

Of course, these plans only work if the DRM works. Judging from how easily these systems have been cracked in the past, it could mean that Microsoft's Vista DRM efforts end with the content being traded anyway, at the cost of a clunky and inefficient OS. Lending credence to this theory is the fact that Hollywood's new favorite DRM flavor, AACS (Advanced Access Content System -- co-developed by Microsoft) appears to be quite breakable.