02-September-2010

Sony's anti-piracy measures

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Oh yes, Sony's anti-piracy measures really make me want to go out and buy legitimate copies of music CD's. I don't think so guys!
They've basically been caught red-handed using a very under hand and devious anti-piracy system on their music CD's. A recent article on Mark Russinovich's blog site Sysinternals, describes how the copy protection software uses a cloaking technique more commonly found in malicious software to hide itself from the operating system. This software must be installed before you can listen to the CD, so all in all it's a pretty nasty trick and you can't help ask why they decided to go down this route.
	Further more, there is no way to automatically uninstall the software and any attempts to manually remove it may actually cripple the PC! The cloaking technique it uses also makes it invisible to most anti-virus and spyware scanning programs. Nice one Sony, that's a good way to win hearts and minds. With music piracy rife on the Internet these days, you would think that the big record companies would be doing more to win the spending public over. Maybe reasonably priced music and bands that were promoted for their music, rather than their revenue potential would be a step in the right direction.
Sony has tried to defend the software. Apparently consumers can contact them for a patch to reveal the hidden files and there is also a link to whereby you can download software to remove the files. So what does this mean for the average consumer buying music CD's? Well it means you might be getting more than you bargained for and I for one will not be rushing out to purchase their music CD's! Sony need to think again and take issue very seriously. If you must, fight piracy by all means, but don't do it in a devious manner because the public like to see the cards on the table. All credit to Mark Russinovich on this one though for doing some seriously amazing work and bringing this to light. If you want more technical information on this issue then I'd seriously recommend that you visit the Sysinternals web site and read the article first hand. Sysinternals - Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far

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If you think you might want a refund then buy online or mail order as the October 2000 ammendment to the Sales of goods act known as "Distance selling law" complete ties the retailers greasy hands.

Getcarter 23-Apr-2009 16:55

Ted; just to clarify, consumers have no legal right to expect a refund on goods purchased unless said goods are faulty or not fit for purpose. Many shops do give refunds on goods if the customer merely changes their mind, but this is simply their own policy as good customer service, not a legal requirement.

This law protects retailers who are treated as "free hire" centres; for example some customers will buy a new outfit on a Friday, wear it over the weekend, and then take it back for a refund on Monday!

grumpyoldwoman 23-Apr-2009 16:46

Sony Style Extremely poor customer service. Beware any purchased Sony product CAN NOT be returned even if it is purchased within 24 hours. Sony Style Sales Staff are not allowed to reimburse any purchased item even if the item is returned within 24 hours of the purchase and is in good working condition. This Non Refundable return policy is directly from Sony Head office and reflects the "hard times" regarding sales at this period. Customers should be made aware of this FACT: SONY STORES DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS;UNDER ANY CONDITION.

Ted 23-Apr-2009 16:21

Sony are the bad guys alright, along with the evil brother Microsoft of course. The copy protection game has spiraled out of hand I think and to be honest I don't think that they are really puting in place these anti-piracy measures for the benefit of the artist. It's all about money and control. It always was about the money.

Wake up Sony 29-Oct-2007 15:05

If they are truly doin this stuff, then use a system of downloading music I.E. Kazza, limewire, frostwire, blubster etc. there if you get a virus you will be able to detect it with the virus scanner and just get a different version of the song :)

Ortega 23-Aug-2006 17:33

use kazza, limewire.

sony are nazis

shigheil 11-Jan-2006 22:31

Latest news.

Sony are now stopping using this software.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/10/01/sony_copy-control_cd/

Me 13-Nov-2005 04:35

Fair comment jeff, Sony have got a lot to answer with on this one.

PC guru 07-Nov-2005 17:49

Who do sony think they are anyway, its pretty clear from the bad press they have had recently that these tactics just aren't going to be popular and that the public will stop buying CD's. There is enough fear and conspiracy out there without them adding to the situation.

Jeff 07-Nov-2005 17:48

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