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there apparently are some class action lawsuits in the works. check out here -- about halfway down there are some interesting links.
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It is apparent that they were test marketing this new copy-protection scheme. It only affects 20 or so titles (and looking at that list, I can't imagine more than 20 people buying that crap). I bet they were trying to slip this under the radar and it backfired. Hahahaha
I've always hated the way Sony tries to push its technology down people's throat. Buy our MiniDisc! Buy our MemoryStick! etc. etc. Oh well, the one thing to remember is that no matter how smart they think they are, there is always some computer geek out there who will break the code and post it on the Internet. So don't worry people! |
Originally Posted by masetodd
It is apparent that they were test marketing this new copy-protection scheme. It only affects 20 or so titles (and looking at that list, I can't imagine more than 20 people buying that crap). I bet they were trying to slip this under the radar and it backfired. Hahahaha
I've always hated the way Sony tries to push its technology down people's throat. Buy our MiniDisc! Buy our MemoryStick! etc. etc. Oh well, the one thing to remember is that no matter how smart they think they are, there is always some computer geek out there who will break the code and post it on the Internet. So don't worry people! Digital rights management doesn't work and causes companies to think they can get away with this crap. It's illegal to remove the Sony rootkit from your computer! |
i agree with masetodd in that sony was probably trying to see if they could get this to fly under the radar (given the limited number of titles the rootkit was on).
i am pretty surprised with how poorly it was implemented and the ethics behind their methods of installation. |
Originally Posted by Mr. Cinema
I think I only have 1 cd from their list. Life of Agony "Broken Valley". I didn't put it in my computer and have no plans to, so I don't think I'll swap.
I had to reinstall a more recent version, then Sony's rootkit fix, and then uninstall again. So far no problems, but I'm still pissed. Mordred |
I just found some new type of copy protection on Sony's Stealth DVD. The following files appear in the root directory of the DVD:
AUTORUN.INF dvd-rom.exe go.exe When you insert the DVD, the autorun batch does....something...I don't know what. Is this the same thing as the CD rootkit? |
Originally Posted by masetodd
I just found some new type of copy protection on Sony's Stealth DVD. The following files appear in the root directory of the DVD:
AUTORUN.INF dvd-rom.exe go.exe When you insert the DVD, the autorun batch does....something...I don't know what. Is this the same thing as the CD rootkit? |
Originally Posted by Mopower
Should be easy enough to fix. Just disable the AUTORUN function of your DVD drive.
I checked one of the Seinfeld discs from last year and those two programs are on there. Dvd-rom.exe is a Flash Player application that launches the disc's special menu viewable on a computer that includes weblinks as well as the disc's content. Go.exe starts your default DVD player, and is what runs when you select the option to play the disc from that special menu. |
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I have a few of those. Fortunately, I just illegally downloaded them to begin with so I don't have the problems reported.
And that is the part that kills me about this. If I had actually downloaded this music (I actually don't have any of that music) illegally, I would be fine, computer would be fine, etc. But if I went out and legally bought a copy I would now have a bunch of crap on my computer. :lol: Stupid Sony. |
Originally Posted by Drexl
Well, the problem with these rootkits is that if it's already ran once it's on your hard drive, so the damage has already been done. It will prevent future discs from running them though.
I checked one of the Seinfeld discs from last year and those two programs are on there. Dvd-rom.exe is a Flash Player application that launches the disc's special menu viewable on a computer that includes weblinks as well as the disc's content. Go.exe starts your default DVD player, and is what runs when you select the option to play the disc from that special menu. What if you disable autorun before you even put any disc in for the first time? |
Originally Posted by Mopower
What if you disable autorun before you even put any disc in for the first time?
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I guess I'm one of the last humans on Earth who only plays CD's in his cd player deck and DVD's in his DVD player. DVD's and cd's RARELY go into my computer drive. :lol:
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Just to be safe in the future, I better illegally download any music released by Sony.
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Originally Posted by Vandelay_Inds
and since the pigs won't tell which ones have been tampered-with
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Texas has filed a lawsuit:
Texas Sues Sony Under Anti-Spyware Law AUSTIN, Texas - The state sued Sony BMG Music Entertainment on Monday under its new anti-spyware law, saying anti-piracy technology the company slipped into music CDs leaves huge security holes on consumers' computers. The lawsuit is over the so-called XCP technology that Sony had added to more than 50 CDs to restrict to three the number of times a single disc could be copied. After a storm of criticism, Sony recalled the discs last week. To enforce the restrictions, the CD automatically installed the copy-protection program when discs were put into a PC — a necessary step for transferring music to iPods and other portable music players. Attorney General Greg Abbott accused Sony BMG of surreptitiously installing "spyware" in the form of files that mask other files Sony installed as part of XCP. This "cloaking" component can leave computers vulnerable to viruses and other security problems, said Abbot, echoing the findings of computer security researchers. "Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak-and-dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers," Abbott said in a statement. The term "spyware" has been used broadly to cover programs that are installed without users' full knowledge and consent, whether or not they actually spy on a user's activities. A Sony BMG spokesman didn't immediately return a call Monday morning. Sony BMG initially rejected the uproar over XCP as technobabble. But after security experts discovered that XCP opened gaping security holes in users' computers — as did the method Sony BMG offered for removing XCP — Sony BMG agreed last week to recall the discs. Some 4.7 million had been made and 2.1 million sold. CDs that had XCP included releases by Van Zant, The Bad Plus, Neil Diamond and Celine Dion. Abbott said some CDs remained in Texas stores as of Monday morning. The Texas spyware law allows the state to recover damages of up to $100,000 in damages for each violation. Abbott said there were thousands of violations, and that any money would go to the state. |
I have to give props to Amazon, I was getting ready to order a cd and it is clearly labeled in bold:
[SONY XCP CONTENT/COPY-PROTECTED CD] Here is the actual CD I was going to order with a more detailed description. It is now unavailable for order. Odd how they say Sony requested they remove it, but it is still available at other online sites. |
Originally Posted by masetodd
It is apparent that they were test marketing this new copy-protection scheme. It only affects 20 or so titles (and looking at that list, I can't imagine more than 20 people buying that crap).
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Virgin Records did this with 30 Seconds to Mars' newest disc. It's a total pain in the ass. I hope they get sued too.
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Originally Posted by Giantrobo
I guess I'm one of the last humans on Earth who only plays CD's in his cd player deck and DVD's in his DVD player. DVD's and cd's RARELY go into my computer drive. :lol:
They are pretty hard to copy if you don't put them in your DVD or CD-ROM drive. |
Originally Posted by Mopower
They are pretty hard to copy if you don't put them in your DVD or CD-ROM drive.
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