Sony DRM Rootkit , Round 8

[KingBahamut]

According to this Dutch article the Sony DRM software (or rootkit, if you may prefer) contains code from the LAME MP3 encoder project, which is licensed under the LGPL. However, the source code has not also been distrbuted, hence breaching the license. Here is an english translation of the page." So apparently Sony violates your privacy to create a backdoor onto your machine using code that violates an Open Source license. This story just keeps getting stranger.

External Links
http://webwereld.nl/articles/38285
http://dewinter.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=215

So Sony has violated something to violate somethign else, that violates something inside something else. Confused yet? =)

[mstlyevil]

It is amazing how arrogant the executives at Sony are. They truly believe they are above the law and that while all the rest of us should be subject to it they are completely immune from it. I have been googleing news from around the net on this issue and there are a number of articles on how Sony is infringing copyright law by not disclosing the source code on lame mp3 and possibly a few other codecs.

Have you read any articles on their EULA? If you are burgurlized and the CD is stolen, you are required to delete the music from your hard drive. The same goes if you move out of the country or file bankruptcy. I guess they think the fair use law does not apply to them either.

[blastus]

After reading about XCP on the official SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/home.html) website, I find it absurd to think they would be able to accomplish anything with this. This software is discriminatory against Windows users, because even though they make up some 90%-95% of the installed base, an XCP-enabled CD will "behave like a traditional CD in a Mac", therefore XCP does not restrict Mac users whatsoever. And they don't mention a word about Linux users which I assume fall into the same category as Mac users (that is if an XCP-enabled CD even plays on a Linux box I don't know.)

And to "uninstall" the software you have to fill out a form and contact Sony BMG with the artist name, album title, store name, and your email address. I have never heard of such a thing in my entire life--having to contact a vendor to remove their own software off MY computer. I can understanding having to fill out a form or register to install a piece of software, but NOT to uninstall it.

[Dr. Nick]

This software is discriminatory against Windows users, because even though they make up some 90%-95% of the installed base, an XCP-enabled CD will "behave like a traditional CD in a Mac"

Ill one up you on that. From what Ive seen on some articles its only U.S. Editions that have it, So they are discriminating againts Americans who use Windows. Whats that about?

I believe the above is true, I think it is stated that the U.K release doesnt have the rootkit

EDIT
just saw this http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,123543,00.asp apparently MS wants to get rid of it aswell, Have to go to work now so I cant read the wholoe think at the moment

[KingBahamut]

Perhaps this is a ploy on the case of Sony to convert Windows users to Mac and Linux users. I could be possible.

[xequence]

Perhaps this is a ploy on the case of Sony to convert Windows users to Mac and Linux users. I could be possible.

I really doubt it. This is sony. Sony! My sony mp3 player doesent even work with linux.

[blastus]

I think they were trying to impact the most for the least amount of effort. Most people use Windows so they probably assumed that most pirates use Windows. That may be true, but it still says something--it says that consumers should not all be treated equally.

[mstlyevil]

I hope this has the effect of the courts finally will get involved and tell companies that EULA's do not give them the right to disregard private property, fair use, privacy and consumer protection laws. They also need to force these companies to make their EULA's short, clear and concise. Part of the problem is that the EULA's are written in legalese and are just too long for the average computer user to understand.

When is the government going to enforce copyright laws that Sony is violating by using Lame Mp3 and not submitting the source code back to the developer. They sure are quick to allow the RIAA and Sony to sue individuals for downloading Brittany Spears illegally.

[newbie2]

According to this Dutch article the Sony DRM software (or rootkit, if you may prefer) contains code from the LAME MP3 encoder project, which is licensed under the LGPL. However, the source code has not also been distrbuted, hence breaching the license. Here is an english translation of the page." So apparently Sony violates your privacy to create a backdoor onto your machine using code that violates an Open Source license. This story just keeps getting stranger.

External Links
http://webwereld.nl/articles/38285
http://dewinter.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=215

So Sony has violated something to violate somethign else, that violates something inside something else. Confused yet? =)

http://www.webwereld.nl/articles/38398
http://www.the-interweb.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/56-Two-new-F4I-license-infringements-found.html
according to these new links there is also violation of LGPL AND GPL-license...
:rolleyes: