Sony Rootkit Included FairPlay DRM Encoding Ability?

While the internet has been rumbling in recent weeks over Sony's Rootkit DRM for Windows, one unannounced feature of the software installed apparently included open-source code to apply Apple's FairPlay DRM to included tracks.

The inactive code apparently supports conversion into FairPlay from a wide variety of file formats: MP3, MAV, RAW audio, and standard unprotected audio CDs. A breakdown of chicken/egg reverse engineering is found on this blog entry.

CNET's John Borland says Princeton researchers found the code while deconstructing the rootkit.

The use of FairPlay would allow copy-protected music to be played on iPods, which isn't possible with other DRM schemes.