The big mess that is Spore's DRM controversy continues as Electronic Arts has "responded" to concerns over its use of SecuROM in Will Wright's opus.

EA corporate communications rep Mariam Sughayer claims that the uproar over limited installations is unjustified because 77% of customers have only installed the game once, leaving 23% that have needed to install it multiple times.

"EA has not changed our basic DRM copy protection system," explained Sughayer. "We simply changed the copy protection method from using the physical media, which requires authentication every time you play the game by requiring a disc in the drive, to one which uses a one-time online authentication.



"You can install the game on three computers - at your office, at home or for your family. What you can't do is make and distribute a thousand copies online."

No word at all, however, on the accusations that Spore's DRM chews up RAM like it was free candy. EA also neglected to address the fact that Spore myopically allows only one account to be created per copy purchased. As the title looks headed to be one of the most pirated games of all time, I doubt this will appease anyone. Still, it's somewhat amusing that EA has stated "you can't make and distribute a thousand copies" with Spore's DRM ... isn't that what everybody's doing right now?