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Rumour has it that Sony is looking to the PC games market to help solve its growing piracy problem on the PlayStation 3 - with the introduction of serial keys to its games.

According to 'a very reliable source' quoted by PS3-Sense, Sony is attempting to address the recent revelation that it failed to properly secure the private signing key for its flagship console - leading to clever tinkerers producing third-party firmware that allows unofficial software and illegitimately downloaded games to run on unmodified hardware - by looking to the PC retail market for solutions.

Unlike the PS3, the PC doesn't have a hardware DRM system built in to it - despite attempts by groups like the Trusted Computing Group, formerly the Trusted Computer Platform Alliance, to introduce such a thing - relying instead on software-based DRM and a surprisingly old-fashioned guarantee of a game's uniqueness: a serial key.

Printed on the product's packaging, the key is a unique identifier that promises that the game is the real deal - and usually verifies itself with an online server, preventing the game from running or accessing multiplayer features if the same key is in use elsewhere.

It's a solution that the PC gaming industry has been using for years, but if the rumour that Sony is looking to use it as a bandage for its thoroughly broken PS3 DRM proves true, it could have one major hurdle in its path: unlike a PC, the PS3 has no keyboard.

While the PS3 is compatible with USB keyboards, and has an optional Bluetooth-connected miniature keypad accessory, many gamers rely solely on the console's controller - using the on-screen soft keyboard for those rare occasions when text entry is required.

If every game that's purchased requires the entry of a code - and, given the code's requirement for uniqueness and high entropy, they're usually around 24 alphanumeric characters in length - it could soon prove a pain for gamers.

Worse, the move would effectively kill the rental market for PS3 games - and, if Sony decides to tie each serial key to a PlayStation Network account, could even block second-hand sales.

Sony, for its part, hasn't confirmed or denied the rumours - but it will certainly have to do something to get the genie back in the bottle.

Blockbuster + other rental places are getting tonnes of business...people renting the game...and then backing it up on their PS3... I've spent about $40-70 this week on just renting games...

Ya thats another thing, since games are rentable...that too would actually end up hurting video stores that rent out to folks. Putting a product key on games...it's just not going to happen. It wouldn't make much sense. I can't find this serious at all...I think it's a joke at best. Because it would hurt Sony's fan base...they would lose customors and fan's if they did this. They already have lost people, since they've taken so many features from us.

I hope that developers start implementing an online key for all games like THQ and EA have been doing recently.

The server checks for the CD and if not goodbye

And no more than 1 person can use a legit CD key at the same time. So even if he posted the legit cd key the chance of you logging in are slim

You would need to hack their servers

So yes, you would be able to take your legit copy to your friends house

Will fail just like PC protection. People will make keygens and use them while you aren't connected to the internet.

Also what about preowned abilitys ummm I would say sony can't take this method on.

I might not happen. But if more modchips come in fashstick form, if flash replaces opening up your console, then it might just happen

"a very reliable source" sooo whats you damn source

i hate the the new ea online code pass if i borrowed fifa from a freind id have to pay for a code to play online which sucks

STOP MAKING UP THESE F*CKING RUMOURS!
THERE WERENT HALF AS MANY UNTIL ALL YOU IDIOTS JOINED!
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