Yeah and Brotherhood definitely requires an online activation, also there are problems in regards to that portion of DRM which are still unanswered in the Ubisoft Forums.

After the online activation you can play offline (if you created an offline profile) but Ubisoft will spy on you (if you do not hinder them manually) as I pointed out earlier.

http://img218.imageshack.us/g/brotherhood1.jpg/
http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4721051016/m/7961033029

Oh shit, you found me!

*runs*

If it is possible to play offline UBI are keeping somewhat quiet about it. Here the box has a huge notice right on the front that reads "A permanent internet connection is required to play the game".

Inputting code and contacting UBI server is only necessary for multiplayer (logically) and DLCs/Uplay.

If you want to play offline completely without activating DLCs (which are included in the game for free) you really only install and play, you do not have to be online ever. And it works without DVD in drive.

Of course, I am no DRM zealot so I happily play in online mode with MP and all DLCs activated.

And my box of Brotherhood bought in UK does NOT have the "permanent connection required.." message. Only AC2 has it, as well as Splinter Cell Conviction (yes I own all, because I like those games and DRM is no problem for me).

Could it be that those threads refer to digital copies? Mine is boxed, so maybe this is where the contradiction comes from.
You mean like this? Ok, then I will edit the thread, because the Spanish one does not have that.

Here the Spanish version. As you can see, nothing is said about the internet connection in the front cover and I know it does not say anything in the back cover (no higher resolution found). However, that cover is not exactly the cover I have, making everything even more confusing.

By the way, do you have an install keycode too in the manual front page?

yeah I had to scratch it with my nails. It is necessary for MP/uplay only.

No need to edit since I found, just to make things even more confusing, other editions for sale in Sweden (with PEGI marking so they are European) without the connection required message. Weird is what it is but if they had skipped DRM all together there would be no confusion :)

Ubi have really eclectic history when it comes to DRM.

They had securom, starforce, then nothing (Prince of Persia..), then their crazy online DRM, now again nothing...

I just hope it will stay the way it is now. I am looking forward to playing AC Revelations : ).