Sunday, November 13, 2005

The Sony saga continues

Because of all the attention, people are finding more and more issues with Sony DRM.

First, Boing Boing is reporting that Sony's bullshit DRM code actually infringes on a copyright. From the post:
Close examination of the rootkit that Sony's audio CDs attack their customers' PCs with has revealed that their malicious software is built on code that infringes on copyright. Indications are that Sony has included the LAME music encoder, which is licensed under the Lesser General Public License (LGPL), which requires that those who use it attribute the original software and publish some of the code they write to use the library. Sony has done none of this.
Link

Second, Boing Boing is reporting that Media Max software can also be installed in addition to Sony's rootkit DRM that they have since temporarily stopped producing. From the post:

To summarize, MediaMax software:

* Is installed onto the computer without meaningful notification or consent, and remains installed even if the license agreement is declined;
* Includes either no uninstall mechanism or an uninstaller that fails to completely remove the program like it claims;
* Sends information to SunnComm about the user's activities contrary to SunnComm and Sony statements and without any option to disable the transmissions.

Link

Oh, and the cherry on top? The rootkit DRM has actually been exploited by hackers, so not only is/was Sony installing malicious software, but it was also allowing hackers to screw up your machine.

Link

Here's my advice: If you really want a CD that's released on Sony/BMG, find a different way to get the music than buying the actual CD (or just never put the CD in your computer).

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