After the controversy of Mass Effect's online authentication method, BioWare has officially decided to back down from the previous DRM method and will only require customers to initiate a one-time online authentication process after the initial installation. BioWare's official Mass Effect FAQ has the details:

Q: What is the difference between the old PC disc authentication solution and the new online model?

A: Two things have changed:

• First, authentication of discs has now gone from the physical format to the online format, freeing the need for consumers to have a disc in the drive at all times.

• Second, with online authentication consumers now connect to the Internet the first time the game is launched and are required only to reconnect if they are downloading new game content.

The people spoke and the developers listened. If only this happened more often. It would've been nice if BioWare had absolutely zero anti-piracy measures for Mass Effect, because they tend to be very problematic to the customer who buys games legitimately. It's not like Mass Effect needs it either; the game will sell on sheer developer reputation alone.