Sony take 'Copyright protection' to new limits

[overkill]

Apologies if this has been posted before, but I thought we should all be aware this is happening:- Sony using potentialy harmful software for 'protection' Its very technical, but worth reading for the potential harm this system can do to your PC. Not to mention the intrusion by a respected company.........

[JohnG]

Someone has posted about this in the MP3 forum, but I think it's such an important thing (if true) that it should be present in more than one forum ! I think this could be another reason to keep away from Sony CDs.

[ncpl]

WOW....that is a shocker!!

I never did like Sony ......

[Mylo]

that is not good.

[Drd]

I can't claim to understand all of that,but reading through it I certainly get the gist,and it's shocking.Thankfully I've not got one of these cd's,more to the point having read this I will never buy one.Well done Sony.

[slackbladder]

Some more info - BBC News
What's the other reason to stay away from Sony CD's? Doesn't that mean certain recording artists will never be heard if Sony CD's are boycotted?

[shaithis]

I will be boycotting Sony CDs and anyone else who I find using this kind of technology.

If I want to play a CD in my PC I should be able to without the fear of hidden software being installed on my PC.

Its a complete liberty.

[ncpl]

Doesn't that mean certain recording artists will never be heard if Sony CD's are boycotted?

Slackbladder, no, it means that most of the people that will not accept Sony's invasion will probably download it (legally or otherwise) rather than run the risk of this software getting on their pc.

So, Sony lose out as does the artist.

Personally, I have never downloaded any music. Seriously....I love those little silver discs (not quite as much as I used to love those big black ones). If any of my "must have" artists were "protected" in the Sony way, I'd be downloading it.

I'd love to hear what Sony have to say about that !!!

If technology like this can be made, it can be undone. As we speak, some clever hackers are probably working to foil it! Incidentally, this is the only time I support software hackers. Virus creators, on the other hand, are just as bad as big corps pulling (poor publicity) stunts like this.

UPDATE: Anyone concerned that XCP (the technology Sony is using to cloak anti-piracy files on your PC) should follow this link: http://updates.xcp-aurora.com/ for advice on safe removal.

[dynamic turtle]

Can't see what all of the fuss is about myself, its just ultra-pedantic folks getting hot under the collar over something of very little importance. Mountains & molehills are all I see.

I bet these folks do far more INTENTIONAL damage to their PC (overclocking in particular) compared to the the little registry & kernel entries this "malware" generates.

If people didn't pirate music, these measures wouldn't be necessary. You're focusing your anger on the wrong target here - Pirates, not Sony!!

DT

[JohnG]

Surely Sony are targeting the wrong people - ie the ones who actually buy the CDs !

Originally Posted by shadowritten

UPDATE: Anyone concerned that XCP (the technology Sony is using to cloak anti-piracy files on your PC) should follow this link: http://updates.xcp-aurora.com/ for advice on safe removal.

Just downloaded and run this program - said XCP not installed on my PC!

Interestingly, in the Properties dialog box, under the Version tab, the Comments box says 'Malware Security Fix'. Why? Because of the fear that this hidden software could allow the entry of malware ... or because the XCP program files themselves might constitute malware

[dynamic turtle]

Maybe both!

I'm guessing its because your antivirus/pop-up software might mistake it for malware and remove any related drivers during the deletion process. This, as the systinternals.org poster said, might have a detrimental effect on certain components (like your dvd-rom drive), which might not boot properly afterwards.

[overkill]

Can't see what all of the fuss is about myself, its just ultra-pedantic folks getting hot under the collar over something of very little importance. Mountains & molehills are all I see.

Rootkits can allow malicious softare to enable a hacker to take over your PC. If you dont think thats important, well.........

I bet these folks do far more INTENTIONAL damage to their PC (overclocking in particular) compared to the the little registry & kernel entries this "malware" generates.

Rootkits do more than just make a few 'little adjustments' to your registry. Is this a windup?

If people didn't pirate music, these measures wouldn't be necessary. You're focusing your anger on the wrong target here - Pirates, not Sony!!

If the Music producers weren't so greedy then piracy would die. All digital media is so massively overpriced it invites piracy. It is down to their obscene greed that this software (Is illegally) installed nothing else. I have no sympathy for companies that bleat about 'piracy killing sales' and who then guiltily sneak out record profit figures hoping we wouldn't notice.

They have no right to do place poorly written software on your PC that could cause data to be lost or the PC damaged - period.