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Sony sued over copy-protection software

bull_oxbull_ox 5,056 Posts
edited November 2005 in Strut Central
Sony sued over copy-protection software November 22, 2005 - 6:40AM AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - It was designed to protect against pirates. But now Sony is being accused burdening computers with spyware. The attorney general of Texas has sued Sony over the XCP technology the company has embedded in some of its music CD's. The software prevents buyers of the CD from making repeated copies by installing itself on the computer and monitoring what the user does with the disc. Critics say the technology leaves computers vulnerable to hackers. Last week the company recalled the CD's, after critics complained about the practice. A California-based digital rights group has also sued Sony, saying the software secretly reports what music the computer is playing. In addition, removing the software -- if you can find it -- can disable the computer's optical drive

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  • bull_oxbull_ox 5,056 Posts
    Sony apologises for content-protection CDs
    By ITWeb, 22 November 2005

    After two weeks of withering criticism, Sony BMG Music Entertainment last week stopped selling 50 CD titles with its extended copy protection content-protection software, removed the discs from stores, and offered replacements without copy protection to customers, according to reports.


    The company issued an apology on its Web site, citing security concerns raised by installation of the XCP software, provided by digital-rights-management vendor First4Internet.

    Sony instructed retailers to remove unsold CDs with XCP software from their store shelves and inventory. But the trouble isn't over as the company faces charges of deceptive advertising, illegal spyware distribution and computer crimes in three lawsuits.

  • pcmrpcmr 5,591 Posts
    I read about this a couple weeks back. The thing actually made computers more prone to viruses and had ramification and damages in a lot of big time systems. Sony refuses to release the names of the cd's
  • CousinLarryCousinLarry 4,618 Posts
    Sony refuses to release the names of the cd's

    makes me glad I don't buy CD's
  • bull_oxbull_ox 5,056 Posts
    I read about this a couple weeks back. The thing actually made computers more prone to viruses and had ramification and damages in a lot of big time systems. Sony refuses to release the names of the cd's

    Its no secret, the protection technology used was mentioned on the outside of the CD package

    I installed it from the Amerie CD...
  • pcmrpcmr 5,591 Posts
    removing has proven to be very complex even for knoledgeable computer folk.

    I'm sure they we're probably advertised or disclaimed I'm just sayin Sony was not namin names at the press conference. I'm sure some people who bought celine's album dont really know wassup and would be scared by this type of shit ala Y2K
  • luckluck 4,077 Posts
    computer crimes

  • pointmanpointman 1,042 Posts
    The only thing Texas hates more than gay marrige is spyware!!!

    Here is the list of titles

    http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html
  • FlomotionFlomotion 2,390 Posts
    Sony are soooo fucked on this one .
  • verb606verb606 2,518 Posts
    Sony are soooo fucked on this one .

    just give me a free PS3 and all is forgiven.

  • pcmrpcmr 5,591 Posts
    Sony are soooo fucked on this one .

    Plus they are losing a lot of steam in the HD TV wars so ha!
  • Young_PhonicsYoung_Phonics 8,039 Posts
    So it's wrong because they don't people stealing their music?
  • luckluck 4,077 Posts
    So it's wrong because they don't people stealing their music?

    Point = missed.
  • GrafwritahGrafwritah 4,184 Posts
    The software prevents buyers of the CD from making repeated copies by installing itself on the computer and monitoring what the user does with the disc. Critics say the technology leaves computers vulnerable to hackers.

    Yes, I'm sure the last three people on Earth who still buy CDs were very upset.
  • FlomotionFlomotion 2,390 Posts
    The software prevents buyers of the CD from making repeated copies by installing itself on the computer and monitoring what the user does with the disc. Critics say the technology leaves computers vulnerable to hackers.



    Yes, I'm sure the last three people on Earth who still buy CDs were very upset.



    Last year was the biggest ever for CD sales and numbers are going up, not down.



    The Sony shit not only limits your play rights, it fucks up your machine and leaves it vulnerable to further distaster. And they were sneaky about it. What's more they stole most of the code from Open Source so not only did they put it together badly and with disastrous results, their anti-piracy software was, er, "borrowed".
  • bobbydeebobbydee 849 Posts
    computer crimes




    HACK THE PLANET![/b]
  • GrafwritahGrafwritah 4,184 Posts
    Yes, I'm sure the last three people on Earth who still buy CDs were very upset.

    Last year was the biggest ever for CD sales and numbers are going up, not down.

    Last year being about 1992, right?


    It's a little hard to read due to formatting, but I think you can count all the little "-"'s. Those mean less.

    I'll break down the important #s for you:

    Top 20 countries -6.60%[/b] (Units) -6.30%[/b] (Value)

    http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/press/20051003.html


    Recorded Music Interim Physical Retail Sales 2005*

    Figures in millions

    UNITS VALUE CHANGE
    Singles CD DVD Total Units $US Local Currency Units Value
    1 USA 3.3 300.5 11.6 326.8 4783.2 4783.2 -5.70% -5.30%
    2 Japan 28.5 93.7 8.5 113.5 2258.2 239759 -6.90% -9.20%
    3 UK 13.3 66.8 2.9 74.8 1248.5 666.7 -1.70% -4.00%
    4 Germany 8.5 58.7 4.4 71 887.7 689.7 -7.70% -5.80%
    5 France 11.5 47.3 4.5 56.9 861.1 669.1 7.50% -2.70%
    6 Italy 0.5 14.7 0.7 17 278 216 -8.40% -12.30%
    7 Canada 0.1 20.8 1.5 22.3 262.9 325 0.70% -4.60%
    8 Australia 3.6 14.5 1.5 17.2 259.6 335.9 -22.90% -11.80%
    9 Spain 1 17.5 1.1 19.1 231.6 180 -13.40% -15.70%
    10 Netherlands 1.2 8.7 1.9 11.1 190.3 147.9 -31.30% -19.80%
    11 Russia - 25.5 0.1 42.7 187.9 5234.7 -9.40% 21.20%
    12 Mexico 0.1 33.4 0.8 34.6 187.9 2082.3 44.00% 21.50%
    13 Brazil 0.01 17.6 2.4 24 151.7 390.3 -20.40% -16.50%
    14 Austria 0.6 4.5 0.2 5 120.5 93.6 -1.50% -9.60%
    15 Switzerland ** 0.8 7.1 0.2 7.8 115.8 139.2 n/a n/a
    16 Belgium 1.4 6.7 0.5 7.7 115.4 89.7 -13.80% -8.90%
    17 Norway 0.3 4.5 0.1 4.8 103.4 655.6 -19.70% -10.40%
    18 Sweden 0.6 6.6 0.2 7.2 98.5 701.1 -29.00% -20.30%
    19 India - 10.9 - 55.3 79.2 3456.6 -19.20% -2.40%
    20 Denmark 0.1 4 0.1 4.2 73.1 423.5 3.70% -4.20%
    Top 20 74.5 757.1 42.8 915.2 12378.7 -6.60% -6.30%
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