The BBC has released a fix to prevent PC users downloading programmes from iPlayer intended for use on an iPhone or iPod only.

Digital rights management issues mean that the BBC is able to offer streamed programmes to PC users for up to a week after broadcast.

The DRM for the downloaded service, meanwhile, ensures that programmes expire after 30 days.

However, following the launch of iPlayer for iPhones hackers soon discovered a Firefox plug-in allowing them to save the programmes to computer hard disks and distribute them freely with others.

Issuing the fix, the BBC acknowledged that it had won the battle rather than the war against hackers and would continue to remain vigilant.

"It's an ongoing process and one which we will continue to monitor. Like other broadcasters, the security of rights-protected content online is an issue we take very seriously," the BBC said in a statement.