Sony makes the case for piracy
Sort of -- with their root kit
Saturday, November 12, 2005 by Frogboy | Discussion: WinCustomize News
Recently, Sony was discovered to have been installing software on people's computers without the user knowing it. When a user inserted a Sony CD into their computer CD-ROM drive, a "root kit" was installed that enabled the music giant to install "copy protection" without the user knowing.
Some spyware developers and trojan horse virus makers have already begun to make use of Sony's root kit to hide their presence on the user's machine.
Some users of argued that this plays right into the hands of pirates. This issue was discussed last week on PowerUser.TV at length. Why be legitimate in acquiring music if you're going to be treated like a criminal when it's so much easier to simply warez it was what many have said on-line.
CNET has an excellent follow-up on the situation. Check it out.
 |
|
Page 3 of 3 | |
|
|---|
Reply #43 Monday, November 14, 2005 8:22 PM
I find it ironic that twenty years ago, it was the Sony Betamax that was the new technology that was terrifying the movie studios, to the extent that the case was heard by the Supreme Court, who ruled in favor of the new technology.
Now, Sony is in the music, movie, and gaming market, both as a producer of hardware, and as a content provider.
Now the are the terrified ones. Along with their buddies in the RIAA and MPAA, they are lobbying our elected leaders (at least in the US) to change the laws to protect their business model, a model that many say is outdated in the age of digital content.
The lengths that Sony and their bedfellows will go to shows just how much respect they have for the consumer. None.
Somewhere Music/Movie Studio/Sony execs are wetting their pants with excitement at the prospect of milking the buying public out of a charge every time comeone wants to listen to a song or movie they have already purchased. And if you don't like it, why they can always sue you with their little army of salivating lawyers.
These movie/music execs have been painting their own customers as "pirates" and criminals, using the courts as the means to carry out their bullying tactics.
It looks like their tactics are backfiring on them. Let's hope that it sends a clear message, if not the Sony and their kind, then at least to our legislators.
Reply #44 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 12:55 PM
Reply #45 Wednesday, November 16, 2005 5:49 PM
"Sony BMG last week was targeted in a class action lawsuit complaining that it had not disclosed the true nature of its copy-protection software."
And I was expecting that....again the little guy can 'win'....
Let's hope Sony's next try is a wee bit more diplomatic...
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 3 of 3 | |
|
|---|
Reply #41 Monday, November 14, 2005 6:02 PM
iTrolls not Trolls