SecuROM

Software

SecuROM limits the number of PCs activated at the same time from the same key. SecuROM 7.x was the first version to include the SecuROM Removal Tool, which is intended to help users remove SecuROM after the software with which it was installed has been removed. Most titles now also include a revoke tool to deactivate the license; revoking all licenses would restore the original activation limit. As with Windows activation, a hardware change may appear as a change of computer, and force another activation of the software. Reformatting the computer may not consume an activation, if the Product Activation servers successfully detect it as a re-installation on the same set of hardware. The activation limit may be increased, on a case-by-case basis, if the user is shown to have reached this limit due to several hardware-triggered re-activations on the same PC.

Known problems

Windows 10

Shortly after the release of Windows 10, Microsoft announced that games with SecuROM DRM will not run on its new operating system. Citing security concerns over the software due to the way in which it becomes "deeply embedded" in the system, Microsoft said "That’s where Windows 10 says, 'Sorry'." Supporting SecuROM could have been a possible loophole for computer viruses to exploit."

SecuROM Online-activation keygen

On January 17, 2016 the working keygen for online activation of SecuROM was published.

BioShock

Purchasers of BioShock were required to activate the game online, and users who exceeded their permitted two activations would have to call to get their limit raised. The limit was raised to five activations because an incorrect phone number had been printed on the manual, and because there were no call centers outside of the United States. Separate activations were required for each user on the same machine. 2K Games removed the activation limit in 2008, although online activation was still required. The game is now available completely DRM-free.

Mass Effect

EA announced in May 2008 that Mass Effect for the PC would use SecuROM 7.x and require that the software be reactivated every 10 days. Customer complaints led EA to remove the 10-day activation, but SecuROM remained tied to the installation, with its product activation facility used to impose a limit of three activations. A call to customer support is required to reset the activation limit. Unlike BioShock, uninstalling the game does not refund a previously used activation. A de-authorization tool was released for the main game, but EA's customer support must still be contacted to deactivate the downloadable expansions.

Spore

Spore, released by EA on September 7, 2008, uses SecuROM. Spore has seen relatively substantial rates of unauthorized distribution among peer-to-peer groups, and with a reported 1.7 million downloads over BitTorrent networks, was the most user-redistributed game of 2008, according to TorrentFreak's "Top 10 most pirated games of 2008" list. Journalists note that this was a reaction from users unhappy with the copy protection.

EA requires the player to authenticate the game online upon installation. This system was announced after EA's originally planned system, which would have required authentication every 10 days, met opposition from the public. Each individual product key of the game would be limited to use on three computers. This limit was raised to five computers, in response to customer complaints, but only one online user (required to access user-generated content) can be created per copy.

A class-action lawsuit was filed by Maryland resident Melissa Thomas within the U.S. District Court against Electronic Arts over SecuROM's inclusion with Spore. Several other lawsuits have followed.

Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3

Red Alert 3 included SecuROM until February 19, 2009, when it was removed from the Steam version. Non-Steam editions still include SecuROM.

Dragon Age II

Reports emerged in March 2011 that EA's Dragon Age II included SecuROM, despite assertions from EA to the contrary. On March 12, 2011, a BioWare representative stated on the official Dragon Age II message boards that the game does not use SecuROM, but instead "a release control product which is made by the same team, but is a completely different product" which later turned out to be Sony Release Control. The consumer advocacy group Reclaim Your Game has challenged this claim, based on their analysis of the files in question.

Final Fantasy VII PC re-release

In early August 2012 an updated version of Final Fantasy VII was re-released for PC. The updated version included SecuROM software, which was discovered when an early purchase link was included in the Square Enix store. Users who purchased and downloaded the game were unable to activate the game due to the activation servers not recognizing the activation key for their purchased games.

The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection

EA released The Sims 2 Ultimate Collection as a free download until July 31, 2014, but did not mention that the download also came with SecuROM included, which was later revealed by the site Reclaim Your Game.