Let's paint the picture here first: imagine patching a game that's legitimately purchased and installed. Now imagine that after that last patch, you cannot - and let me stress CANNOT - right-click any executable file in Windows without stalling the Explorer process, prompting you to restart the process or restart Windows. This is what EA's new version 1.01 patch for Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath did to gamers out there. And do you know why? Because of SecuROM. Ugh.

Shortly after word streamed from BioWare's Forums that users were aggravated at the activation limits imposed by the new copy protection scheme, 2K Games lifted similar activation limits from the PC version of BioShock. That's all they've rid PC gamers of, though - everything else stays. Look to the full story for more.

We know that the copy protection scheme that BioWare and Electronic Arts implemented in the PC version of Mass Effect were for granting the convenience of not needing the game disc every time you play, and of course, for combating piracy. But the latest inquiries to the activation procedures would have you thinking twice about either convenience or piracy, because what we have waiting for you at the full story would either have you facepalming till kingdom come, or gasping out loud, "Piracy wut?"

For those of us who wanted to enjoy BioWare's Mass Effect (Xbox 360, PC) on their gaming rigs, but found themselves wanting after the ten-day re-authentication period that EA's SecuROM dealie popped on all of us, here's good news: that is now officially a thing of the past, thanks to the loads of fans who reacted against the issue as well as the gamers in the armed services. All the details in the full article.

If you consider yourself an audiophile that lives outside the US, acquiring music online can sometimes be a bummer. Now, the latest offering of Amazon could probably help you out.

They have released an announcement that they will be launching Amazon Mp3 this year giving access to music lovers to one of the biggest collection of online songs. Details in the full article.