I'm not as sure as Penguinisto about the future. History has no example of such a system an I don't think technology alters the fundamental equation. If enough people want something, someone will find a way to make it available. Even punishment doesn't seem to work, as witnessed by the continued popularity of drugs, etc. Since Microsoft, et al don't have a monopoly on brainpower, I don't see this changing for any significant period of time. The best solution is the contemplated inclusion of such schemes into the hardware itself. Even then, there's the possibility that genius hacker (not a warez kiddy) will find a way to circumvent it. There's also the matter of public acceptance. Intel found this out with their processor ID number. People are becoming more concerned with privacy and at the same time feeling less and less assured that business and government have their (the people's) best interest at heart. Big business and their legislative cronies have managed, by persistence to get their way in some cases but I think an important confrontation is looming. We'll just have to see how it plays out. Folks may grudgingly accept measures in the workplace because they feel they have little choice. Privacy and control in their homes is another matter Strangely, I think many people are more willing to give up personal freedoms and privacy because of a perceived fear of terrorism than they would be if you start messing with their precious hard drives.

"Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance." - H. L. Mencken