Wow, I thought it just meant that you couldn't copy the DVD. That would sure put a crimp in my viewing plans.
It was intended to simply block copying. DRM, however...and especially Sony and Macrovision....are a little overzealous and tend to fubar some disks on some players.
Big, big stink, lots of bad PR...which sucks, because Sony normally makes fantastic products. They just keep shooting themselves in the feet.
S2 decision has nada to do with pre-orders.