So many people are running around shouting about the end of ISO's, but are they
really considering the matter before opening their mouths? The Securom
protection system may have some effect the ISO scene, but in my opinion it
certainly won't kill it, or even have a significant impact.

Firstly, Securom has been available since September 1997 if you didn't notice ..
and I haven't personally seen a single commercial CD that uses it. Secondly, and
most importantly, even if Securom does become the standard protection method, so
what ? The electronic fingerprint may be built into the CD, but the
authentication is carried out with software, so it follows that it can be
cracked. People wishing to directly copy and mass distribute CD's may be at a
loss, but groups who have the resources can simply code and supply cracks with
their releases .. sure some lame groups who's foundation is based on the ease of
ISO production will have troubles when faced with the prospect of having to
crack the copy protection, but this seems like a productive thing to me.

Whatever happens, the scene will surely adapt to whatever obstacles are put in
its way.

--
Tristan