GTA IV: PC Copy Protection

Rockstar has made its anti-piracy battle plan public, and here are the details of the copy protection:

• Online activation is required (only once per system, with no limit).
• SecuROM copy protection: the game will need the original disc, except, of course, for legally obtained versions, e.g. ones downloaded from Direct 2 Drive.
• Single-player requires a Games for Windows LIVE registration (free), which will be used for saving and tracking achievements.
• Multiplayer requires an active internet connection and a Games for Windows LIVE registration (still free), plus a Rockstar Social Club registration for uploading videos.
• If you have no web access, or you just don't want to connect the computer you play on to the net, you can use another machine for the activation. The exact method isn't public yet, and details are expected around the release.
• This doesn't apply to legally downloaded versions: depending on the seller, the game can be installed on e.g. 5 machines at once, and if you uninstall one, another installation slot is freed up.
• Rockstar promises a reduced gameplay experience for those playing illegal versions. (Knowing the cracker groups, I'll believe it when I see it...)
• If the two main components in your machine change (CPU and graphics card), the game may ask for a reactivation.