MESSAGE
| DATE | 2005-11-11 |
| FROM | From: "Inker, Evan"
|
| SUBJECT | RE: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Viruses exploit Sony DRM software
|
It couldn't happen to a nicer corporation...
Regards,
Evan M. Inker (New York) x. 4615
-----Original Message-----
From: Ruben Safir [mailto:ruben-at-mrbrklyn.com]
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 3:52 PM
To: hangout-at-mrbrklyn.com
Subject: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] Viruses exploit Sony DRM software
Sony BMG is facing a class action suit from Californian consumers who claim
the music giant's rootkit DRM technology damaged their computers and breaks
three separate Californian laws.
The suit asks the court to stop Sony selling any more CDs containing the
rootkit and seeks compensation for damage already done. Some Sony audio CDs
include software which will secretly load itself if the CD is played on a
computer. The suit was filed 1 November in the Los Angeles Superior Court by
attorney Alan Himmelfarb, according to Reuters.
Click Here
A second case has been started in New York on behalf of anyone who's bought
one of the CDs.
Sony is also facing possible action from the Electronic Frontier Foundation
in Italy - the lobby group has filed papers with the Italian authorities
alleging Sony is guilty of "illicit acts".
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has also examined Sony's End User License
Agreement which consumers now agree to when buying Sony CDs. Aside from
letting Sony install any software they like on your computer it also covers
what you can do with stored copies of the CD.
Any copies of the CD kept on a laptop or other device must be deleted if the
original CD is stolen or lost. They cannot be stored on your work computer
only a "personal home computer system owned by you". If you move countries
you must delete all songs covered by the license. If you file for bankrupcy
you must delete all relevant files.
Any consumer who fails to keep up-to-date with the hidden software is in
breach of the agreement.
In exchange for all this the license also limits Sony BMG's liability for
any damages this might cause to just $5 per CD - or slightly less than you
paid for it in the first place.
Read the whole critique here.
A spokesman for Sony BMG in the UK guided us in the direction of New York HQ
because CDs sold in the UK do not contain the rootkit. Sony BMG New York
were unable to provide comment by press time. (r)
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