Slysoft Inc released a new version of its AnyDVD software, which is claimed to bypass the 4th generation HD DVD and Blu-Ray copy protection (MKB v4), found in latest high-def movie releases.

Slysoft's software comes with same functionality as the company's software for DVDs, but with additional features for full HD DVD and Blu-ray support, including decryption of latest Blu-Ray and HD-DVD movie discs.

The latest build is capable to process the Blu-Ray movies which include the 4th generation media key block (MKB), according to Slysoft. The MKB v4 was recently released by the AACS LA and it is an updated version of the special code placed on the Blu-ray media that is essential for the authentication and thus the reproduction of Blu-ray movies on updated Blu-Ray players. Movies that feature the new MKB keys include the U.S. versions of the "Transformers" HD DVD, and "Spiderman 1-3" Blu-ray. Slysoft said that it would support all MKBv4 discs in a future release of the software.

"SlySoft was recently honored by AACS-LA, being declared as public enemy number one in the ongoing battle for copyright protection. To prove them right and to take on the challenge, SlySoft has just released the latest AnyDVD version which beats the latest 4th generation HD-DVD and Blu-Ray copy protection MKBv4, which was expected to be unbreakable," the company said in a statement.

Slysoft also said that it is ready to defeat the upcoming BD+ feature of the Blu-ray titles.

"All that AACS-LA has to offer now is BD+, but even that is on the verge of being circumvented and a release is expected by the end of this year," said Slysoft.

BD+ is a content code that interacts with the Virtual Machine found on Blu-Ray players and decides whether the player is hacked. According to the BDA, to successfully attack the BD+ system, pirates would have to overcome the AV content security system (e.g. extract AACS keys) and also overcome title-specific security code (e.g. reverse engineer security code). But until now, it is uncertain whether this title-specific security code (BD+ content code) will be included by Studios on a title-by-title basis. In that case, breaking the whole protection scheme would be more complicated.

James Wong, Head of development at SlySoft: "We already found a way to crack BD+ and we have just turned to fine-tuning. I should really think about hiring a bodyguard now, since this product won't please everybody."

"One could start feeling sorry for the poor movie industry guys, but in the end, it saves their jobs and ours. Actually, they could be grateful and show a little bit more appreciation. Beating AACS-LA's protection was a challenge that we accepted passionately, since winning feels a lot better if the opponent is almost as strong as we are. However, I wonder when people will understand that more restrictions, pressure and protections that prevent things from working won't generate more but less revenue. Microsoft's revenue in the 90ies prove us right and even Apple recently released a DRM-free iTunes version," said Giancarlo Bettini, CEO of SlySoft.

Based in Antigua in West Indies, Slysoft is not affected by the copyright laws of the U.S. and European countries. The release of the latest AnyDVD follows the HD DVD and Blu-ray cracks that appeared lately in various forums.