Some people have noticed that this week Driect2Drive had listed the controversial SecuROM as the copy protection used for Grand Theft Auto IV. This immediately set off alarms for people as most people think that SecuROM is a very limiting copy protection program because of it's use in EA's games such as Spore. What most people don't understand is that it's actually up to the publisher to define what the terms are of the copy protection and not SecuROM it's self. In an attempt to quell people's fears, Rockstar has released an FAQ about the copy protection and it's terms. We have summed up the terms below. If you would like to read Rockstar's full FAQ, hit the link below.

• Activation via Internet (1 activation per system, no limits on activations(retail only), Alternative way to activate for people with out web access)
• The original disc is required for playing (Retail)
• The Direct2Drive version will have limited activations. Rockstar does mention that they will have an application in place for people who want to disallow an activation
• The Steam version will NOT have limited installs
• Special downloadable content will be coming for people that have legit copies
• If you uninstall the game and then decide to reinstall, you will not have to reactivate
• If you change two major pieces of hardware, you will have to reactivate
• GTAIV will have more than one disk
• SecuROM will not limit your ability to resell the game later (Retail)

Source: PC Games Hardware