Broadcaster Sky has suspended its broadband movie download service after a Microsoft security patch on Windows Media's digital rights management (DRM) was cracked.

Broadcaster Sky has suspended its broadband movie download service after a Microsoft security patch on Windows Media's digital rights management (DRM) was cracked.

The service's homepage currently reads: "In order to make an essential update to the Sky by broadband security system, we are sorry that access to all movies and some sports content has been temporarily suspended".

The patch had been rushed out by Microsoft after the appearance of a utility called FreeUse4WM to circumvent the media player's DRM ? a move that could have jeopardised the business models of several subscription services that rely on the technology.