Basically, I am looking for something (like a registry hack) that will
allow me to fast forward and skip clips (using the 'Fast Forward' or
'Next' buttons respectively) in a Windows Media Player instance
embedded in a web page, even when the author of the page has
explicitly disabled it.

Hacks that have to do with editing the HTML are generally not
acceptible.  I'm looking for something more along the lines of a
registry hack that will always allow the aforementioned buttons to be
enabled.

Thanks!

from experience MS have not enabled an end-user to over-ride what the
author has specified....
if nothing else this would open up (potential) holes in their DRM
scheme or allow users to ffwd past adverts (which may be what's paying
for the content to be provided 'free' to the user)