Wow.... an MP that gets it.. I think...
TPM's have a legitimate use in some circumstances, however, it is their other uses that are disturbing...
In a business environment, I look for machines with TPM in them. I can use that to make the machines more secure. With Windows Vista I can enable full drive encryption so that if someone breaks in, or a computer is lost/stolen, then it is much more difficult for someone to break into the computers.
However, it is the home environment that I really have issues with. Microsoft has built into their OS the hooks to plug what has been called the analog hole, by preventing some content from being prevent when analog devices which don't prevent copying are used.
A similar mechanism, a HD flag is being used arbitrarily by Shaw Cable to restrict what you can do with your tv connection. While using the broadcast flags are good to help prevent duplication, they have enabled it carte blance across the entire system. What ever happend to fair use in Canada. Where you can copy and use newscasts, etc without limitations.
When using a digital connection, such as HDMI. You can connect your Shaw cable output to your tv, or to a non HD decoding amp. However, you cannot run a HDMI cable from the Shaw PVR to your HD Decoding AMP, have it take the high def audio and sent out on the speakers connected to the amp. Then send the picture on to the TV. Shaw has placed a restriction on digital decoders incorrectly that limits what you can do. You have to run one digital connection to your tv, and a different digital connection to the amp for audio. Then, everytime you change from tv,etc you have to change on both places.
One I got past the bull answers about it being problems with my equipment. I got excuses such as it is required to prevent copying on the HD channels. However, since it applies to all channels, including non digital channels that couldn't be the case. Shaw has since confirmed all this, and that in the next firmware it might actually get updated....
Anyways, back to the issue at hand. Some content creators are pretty bad at insisting on putting all this useless stuff to work to restrict what you can do with the content that you have purchased. Of course, now, you haven't purchased the content, you have purchased a license to use it, you do not own it, you have no rights to use it if they descide otherwise, etc...
Manufacturers have been following suit, and providing them all these features.
In the end it is the consumers that suffer.
I think there is a time and place for TPM and other mechanisms, but this should be one for the consumers to descide if they want to use it.
The day all motherboards come with an enforced tpm, will be the day I make my own mothrboards.