I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....

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Scott F.

...this is a biggie

Aparently, Sony Music's copy protection software installs and cloaks itself on your PC. Worst part is you can't un-install it.

If you play CD's on your PC, you NEED to read this.

Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far
http://www.sysinternals.com/blog/2005/10/sony-rootkits-and-digital-rights.html

This is just one more reason to loathe the record companies.

jon_010101

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I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #1 on: 3 Nov 2005, 03:09 am »
Thank goodness for Macs.  But in any case, that is a pretty unacceptable tactic.  I'm glad almost none of my music comes from major/evil record labels.

WilliamL

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I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #2 on: 3 Nov 2005, 03:21 am »
Wow. Who is going to file the lawsuit.  Guess its time to step up downloading from www.allofmp3.com

Cheers,
Bill

kfr01

Good job Sony.
« Reply #3 on: 3 Nov 2005, 03:56 am »
I, for one, will never buy another Sony product. No Playstation games as gifts for kids, no dvd drives, no Wega t.v. sets.  No nothing.  

Sony needs to refocus on releasing quality products and beating their competitors - not harming their customers who BUY the products.

Music Machine

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« Reply #4 on: 3 Nov 2005, 04:00 am »
This demonstrates how stupid they are about computers and copy protection.  Did they really think no one would notice if they cloaked their infectious DRM scheme? Or no one would care?  

Since everyone found out (duh) they have put out a patch to uncloak it.  If you want to remove it you are supposed to contact Sony/BMG customer service.

Officially, they allow uncloaking their DRM because other malware could use it to hide hooks.  This just obscures the real issue even more, as if everyone is ok with a music CD loading resident code.  Once this program gets in it will be active anytime your computer is on!  Kind of like a virus if you ask me.  I can't think of any reason someone would actually want this, unless that someone is Sony/BMG.

Regards

kfr01

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #5 on: 3 Nov 2005, 04:06 am »
For those looking for a nice plain-english write up:

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20051101-5514.html

WilliamL

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« Reply #6 on: 3 Nov 2005, 04:13 am »
The Washington Post has broke this story wide open. Let the backlash begin!!!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/02/AR2005110202362.html?sub=new

WilliamL

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« Reply #7 on: 3 Nov 2005, 04:30 am »
Hmmmm...Anybody want to call up the CTO of Sony America?

http://www.sony.com/SCA/bios/wiser.shtml

He is actually listed in the phone book.  :lol:

kfr01

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #8 on: 3 Nov 2005, 04:34 am »
From that page: "[Sony] employs 151,400 people worldwide."

These are the people I feel sorry for.  Their employer has a distracting obsession with harming their paying customers rather than an obsession with releasing quality products that beat the competition.

Sony employees should ask for these practices to halt.

WilliamL

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« Reply #9 on: 3 Nov 2005, 04:45 am »
I just sent Sony's CTO an email--not confrontational at all. Just asking him for Sony's side of the story. Since I am not involved in the audio business anymore, I have no compunction asking a direct question to Sony execs. Its best if we don't jump to conclusions and wait to hear both sides of this.

Here is his contact info: phil@philwiser.com

Cheers,
Bill Laurent

kfr01

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #10 on: 3 Nov 2005, 05:03 am »
Let Sony know how you feel:

http://www.sonymusic.com/about/feedback.cgi


I told them I will not buy Sony products until they:
1) stop selling CD's based on this rootkit technology; and
2) release an easy-removal tool.


/anger

ooheadsoo

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #11 on: 3 Nov 2005, 06:12 am »
I wasn't thinking and actually installed the bugger on my computer when I bought the new Bad Plus CD.  Pisses me off to no end.  I wrote them 4 irate emails telling them to give me the tools to remove their software.  No reply, of course.

Geoff-AU

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« Reply #12 on: 3 Nov 2005, 07:14 am »
cheers for the link kfr, passed it around to my friends and left sony a note telling them where they can archive their DRM protected CDs :P

Nick B

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« Reply #13 on: 3 Nov 2005, 07:50 am »
Thanks for the Sony Music link. I just sent an email.

Jon L

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #14 on: 3 Nov 2005, 08:13 am »
Yup, I sent them a 'friendly' message also.

ScottMayo

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« Reply #15 on: 3 Nov 2005, 12:49 pm »
Friendliness is overrated, when it comes to megacorps. Here's what I sent:

---
I do acoustic consulting and audiophile equipment consulting and sales. I thought I would drop you and note and let you know I am steering customers away from Sony products until such time as your music CDs stop installing software on PCs, especially software that can't be seen or removed. It's especially offensive that once running, your hack uses CPU whether or not music is playing. And as for the hack's ability to cloak other viruses, that's just unbelievably bad design. I hope someone sues you.
---

ctviggen

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« Reply #16 on: 3 Nov 2005, 01:19 pm »
According to the Washington Post article, you can't copy the files to your iPod also.  Sony is scum.  This makes me wonder how many Sony discs I own.

ctviggen

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« Reply #17 on: 3 Nov 2005, 01:44 pm »
OK, this is F-ing idiotic.  You can hold down the shift key while putting in the CD and you can copy to your heart's delight.  So, this program only affects legitimate owners of a CD who are also non-savvy computer users.  It's not going to hurt me, as I'll get around the program (using the shift key trick) (although I'll also be a legitimate owner).  It's totally idiotic and insane.  Only Sony could think of something so asinine.

Here's another article:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=27426

woody

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #18 on: 3 Nov 2005, 02:05 pm »
I just read the Wash Post and Inquirer articles, and I will surely send Sony an email (polite, of course  :wink: ) stating that I will NEVER, under any circumstances, buy another Sony product.

Not only is their attempt at protecting profits a lame and malicious one, but it is also one that is irresponsible and arrogant on their part in their refusal to fix the problems.  I'm not quite sure which makes me more angry.

Shift key or not, count me out!  

Signed,

Once proud DVP9000ES,  several Sony TVs, VCRs and receivers owner  :evil:

JoshK

I don't normally bring up issues from other forums but.....
« Reply #19 on: 3 Nov 2005, 03:13 pm »
This is of course the worst case I've read of but Sony isn't alone in their efforts to twart the consumer's right to make copies onto other devices.  I was just reading a couple posts on the DEQX beta thread about EMI's DRM bug.  Apparently, when using EMI CP discs on certain players, e.g. Yamaha CD players, using the SPDIF output causes some "brief bursts of garbage samples when fast forwarding or skipping tracks, which sounds like full-scale noise explosions."  From the sounds of it, any DAC that doesn't have conservative protection circuitry (such as the DEQX) could result in this data coming through your speakers.