Sony + XCP = neck deep in the shit.

Post by **bio** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:49 am

Sony says "we're sorry you found our rootkit"

From the Sony/BMG website:

November 16, 2005
To Our Valued Customers:

You may be aware of the recent attention given to the XCP content protection software included on some SONY BMG CDs. This software was provided to us by a third-party vendor, First4Internet. Discussion has centered on security concerns raised about the use of CDs containing this software.

We share the concerns of consumers regarding these discs, and we are instituting a program that will allow consumers to exchange any CD with XCP software for the same CD without copy protection. We also have asked our retail partners to remove all unsold CDs with XCP software from their store shelves and inventory. We will make further details of this program available shortly.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers and we are committed to making this situation right. It is important to note that the issues regarding these discs exist only when they are played on computers, not on conventional, non-computer-based CD and/or DVD players.

Our new initiatives follow the measures we have already taken, including last week's voluntary suspension of the manufacture of CDs with the XCP software. In addition, to address security concerns, we provided to major software and anti-virus companies a software update, which also may be downloaded at http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html. We will shortly provide a simplified and secure procedure to uninstall the XCP software if it resides on your computer.

Ultimately, the experience of consumers is our primary concern, and our goal is to help bring our artists' music to as broad an audience as possible. Going forward, we will continue to identify new ways to meet demands for flexibility in how you and other consumers listen to music.

Rocketdork · Post by **Rocketdork** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 8:32 am

Amazon decided to refund the money of the people that bought one of the 52 (!) titles that Sony/BMG put the XCP software on.

Of course Sony/BMG will only exchange it for another XCP free disk. Jerks...this needs to hurt them MORE. They should refund the money...

Story on the BBC

Post by **bio** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:21 am

Here's the list that Sony/BMG has provided of CD's that are affected.

I don't own any of 'em.

I wonder if the exchange of CD's means you wave rights to litigation for what's been done to your PC?

It also leads me to wonder if there is a huge problem with people trading Rosanne Cash mp3's on teh intraweb.

Post by **miftah** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:37 am

If there is one thing you may rely on it is that if there is any way of eliminating liability, Sony is all over it like stains on a mattress.

I have a feeling that to some extent, this was a side-effect of artists bitchin at Sony to do more about preventing file-sharing. Compounded with an artist in the autumn of their career, and probably in denial about their limited appeal, and well, shit like this happens. What I'm guessing is that RC was the most, erm, vocal about her complaints.

Post by **bio** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 10:31 am

Uh, oh....

Sony/BMG now faces a new problem: copyright infringement.

Hey... isn't that what they are dead set against?

Post by **miftah** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:34 pm

So. Delicious. So. Very. Very. Delicious.

Post by **bio** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:45 pm

It caused me to giggle.

Post by **miftah** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 12:57 pm

'Do record companies intentionally sanction the use of such intrusive technology, or did they just not understand what the vendors of that technology were showing them?' he asks.

'It is time for record companies to get serious about technology, to understand it well enough so that they can foresee the impact of DRM technology without, as we suspect, being blindsided. Now we know that such technology can negatively affect consumers in ways that go beyond anyone's definition of "fair use".'

Not to mention the fact that they are in denial that they did anything wrong tells me that they knew damn well what they were doing. After all, this is a corporation that manufactures technology. If one hand wasn't talking to the other than there's serious mismanagement afoot (*cough* *cough* Microsoft *cough*). But far more probable is the sad little reality that Sony is willing to play dirty to get what they want, which is maximum profit. My only question is, "Why is anyone surprised that this happened?"

Post by **bio** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 2:19 pm

I wonder... after the recall, CD exchanges, and the pending lawsuits are settled... will they have lost more revenue than they would have gained by blocking mp3's?

I seriously doubt it.

"The biggest mistake the labels are making is, they're letting their lawyers make technical decisions. Lawyers don't have any better understanding of technology than a cow does algebra," Leigh said. "They insist on chasing this white whale."

Post by **miftah** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 3:51 pm

Its worth noting that the iPorn article I posted in the other thread? Written by a lawyer.

ZIPPER · Post by **ZIPPER** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 6:58 pm

bio wrote:Here's the list that Sony/BMG has provided of CD's that are affected.

I am thinking I need to buy the entire set of the XCP music. Put them unopened in a box and wait 10 years. They may be worth a few $$$.

Post by **miftah** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 2:57 pm

Post by **bio** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:10 pm

Scotch Tape to the rescue!

Reminds me of the sharpie thing that defeated a previous attempt at the same kind of software (again... distributed by Sony... you'd think they would learn).

ZIPPER · Post by **ZIPPER** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 4:38 pm

bio wrote:Scotch Tape to the rescue!

Reminds me of the sharpie thing that defeated a previous attempt at the same kind of software (again... distributed by Sony... you'd think they would learn).

Oh good! Now I can go forward with that bootleg Rosanne Cash CD I am giving you for X-mas!

Post by **bio** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:36 pm

ZIPPER wrote:Oh good! Now I can go forward with that bootleg Rosanne Cash CD I am giving you for X-mas!

Really... you shouldn't have.

Seriously... dont!

I'd rather listen to a CD full of nothing but the melodious sounds of 30,000 live chickens being tossed into a wood chipper.