EA has decided to once again loosen the DRM which some on Amazon called Draconic in nature. Spore was only allowed to be installed on three computers severely limiting where you could play it. In a dramatic u-turn EA has told MTV that Spore will be able to be installed five times.
More here (http://sporedum.net/2008/09/21/spore-installed-on-five-computers/)

In a dramatic u-turn EA has told MTV that Spore will be able to be installed five times.

In a dramatic u-turn? Are they on crack?

Ahh, it's fine I think. At least they're loosing a bit up.

... Not enough, but still...

When the maintenance guy of my apartment block (the guy who has a copy of all our door keys) said that he was going to steal and rob from all of our apartments, needless to say we were really unhappy and protested.

Then he loosened it up and said he'd only steal from a couple of apartments randomly chosen. We were so pleased with his decision we threw a party.

This DRM stuff is really getting old now. Sure, it's disgusting and a sham that EA treat their customers like this, but they are a money making business, and will not listen to 'peasents' like us. They thought that Draconian protection would save them money - instead, it's cost them. (Spore being the most pirated game ever, maybe?) Hopefully they've learned their lesson. I doubt it, though.

I'm not so impressed with the five computers limit but the deauthorization tool looks good.

Hopefully they've learned their lesson. I doubt it, though.

They're planning on using the exact same system (the 5 install limit version) on Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3. But there's still time for them to change their minds on that.

I'm not so impressed with the five computers limit but the deauthorization tool looks good.

I haven't heard anything about how deauthorization tool will work. If you must have access to the system to deauthorize it, it's kinda broken... Cause when something fails (Hard Drive, Vid Card, etc.) I typically can't load up the old install to properly "uninstall and deauthorize."

However, if I can deauthroize a system from another configuration then that's great. :goodjob:
But I have heard nothing about these specifics... just that a deauthorization system is coming with no specifics on how it's implemented.

It still doesn't address the issue of 20 years from now when EA has gone bankrupt and I want to play my "classic Spore" how am I going to authenticate a game without any active authentication servers. But it helps.

Easy- you'll get a torrented version. :p

However, if I can deauthroize a system from another configuration then that's great. :goodjob:

I do not think this will be possible, and knowing EA you will have to call them to get it back.

I do not think this will be possible, and knowing EA you will have to call them to get it back.

I believe there is a similar systems for Alcohol 120%. Activation is required... but all you need to deactivate an installation is log into Alcohol's website (after registering) and move the activation to the new system.

http://support.alcohol-soft.com/knowledgebase.php?postid=24647&title=Activating+Alcohol+on+another+PC

It asks for your serial number again, and allows you to activate on your current system, and only grant run rights to the "current machine."

I believe there is a similar systems for Alcohol 120%. Activation is required... but all you need to deactivate an installation is log into Alcohol's website (after registering) and move the activation to the new system.

http://support.alcohol-soft.com/knowledgebase.php?postid=24647&title=Activating+Alcohol+on+another+PC

It asks for your serial number again, and allows you to activate on your current system, and only grant run rights to the "current machine."
If that is the case for Spore to then it will be much better and DRM won't be a issue for 99.5% of us.