I'm suprised I haven't heard about it here yet. I was just wondering if anyone has had any problems with this, or what can be done about it. I haven't come across it myself yet.
In addition to their spyware-laden copy protection, I've heard that they used copyrighted code in this copy protection, and it's drawing additional lawsuits.
So... thoughts?
B.J.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
Yeah, I heard about it. But I don't buy music on CD anymore. I'm not interested in any of the shitty music that they worry about protecting, anyway. And I use a Mac. (Though just to prove how evil Sony is, they even went to the trouble of developing a DRM kernel extension for Mac OS X! Thank goodness Apple was never stupid enough to do auto-play.)
Regardless, Sony's actions are just proving that the entire music industry is intent on eliminating the entire principle of Fair Use. That's why I'm recommending that all of my friends stop purchasing Sony products. (Yeah, it's probably not going to affect them much, but it's still an act of principle.)
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
The Age of the $14.99 music CD is soon to be gone. I've only bought 1 CD in my entire life. They're putting spyware on music Cd's? As in for once you wouldn't be getting it from some obscure internet source you couldn't track down and brutally murder? or sue. I guess one of the two works fine either way. Death to Sony!
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Um....where do you live? In my part of the U.S., CD's start at 17.99 and only go up in price from there.
Nothing will encourage piracy like these assholes attempting to fuck their own customers.
The real victims f this spyware would never be uploaders of music: it is the poor sap just listening to the music on his PC that is going to suffer....for being a Sony customer.
I think I'll download some music ASAP.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"As in for once you wouldn't be getting it from some obscure internet source you couldn't track down and brutally murder? or sue. I guess one of the two works fine either way. Death to Sony!"
Actually, it's the second one. Lawsuit to Sony. Two of them, from what I hear.
[ November 18, 2005, 11:56 PM: Message edited by: TSN ]
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Well, this is not a major concern to them- even a class action suit is minor when compared to the milions they rake in each week. For it to really affect the way they do business, a judge will have to order a stop to any future shady software inbedding on Sony disks.
That would set a precedent, not just a monetary pnishment when they get caught.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
Well, they have recalled all 4.7 million of the affected CDs, with an offer to download the MP3s on the CD once it's been returned. I think they also send a non-copy protected CD out as well, but I'm not sure.
B.J.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Still no guarentee they are not developing (or using already) a new less-detectable method of computer sabotage.
A precedent needs to be made to make it unlawful to do again.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
I live in Canada. And last time i checked a CD went for about $14.99 - $17.99 cdn.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Huh.
I just buy whatever I dont want to download (and I do buy CD's) used: it supports local business and does not directly add to RIAA profits.
Amazon usually has everything newly released available for less than half price anyway.
Posted by tricky (Member # 1402) on :
My...it would be funny for Sony to get sued over copyright infringment.
Posted by Cartman (Member # 256) on :
"A precedent needs to be made to make it unlawful to do again."
If you hadn't already noticed, corporate governments like to lean in the other direction, one where consumer rights mean very little.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
We wouldn't have this problem if we were communists...
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Nope- we'd all be in line for bread and Ipods.
Or not.
I have noticed that whole "bend over for corperate mentality" in recent years, but anyone that can loudly make a case that this is computer terrorism will be heard by the soundbyte-searching congress.
Just wait till elections come around- someone will come forward as a supposed champion for consumer rights. They wont be, of course, but they'll shoot down the music/movie industry for a while.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
there you go. Call it computer terrorism and president Bush will bomb sony headquarters and place an occupying army in the lobby...