Suicide is Painless

we'll miss you sony.
....or will we...

digital music news highlight of 11/22/05



Texas Sues Sony BMG Over Copy-Protected Discs

The messy fallout for Sony BMG continued Monday when Texas attorney general
Greg Abbott filed suit against the label. The lawsuit alleges that Sony BMG
violated a new Texas law that prohibits the dissemination of spyware
(Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act). Meanwhile, Abbott
pointed the finger at Sony BMG for creating other serious security breaches
on consumer computers, including vulnerabilities related to outside viruses.
"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. "Consumers who purchased a Sony CD thought they were buying
music. Instead, they received spyware that can damage a computer, subject it
to viruses and expose the consumer to possible identity crime."

Adding fuel to the action was the discovery of several XCP-protected discs
in various Texas retail outlets, even though Sony BMG has put a recall in
motion. That raises the thorny question of just how many retailers will
actually comply with the recall, especially considering the gaps in product
that will result. Separately, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has
announced a lawsuit of its own in the Los Angeles County Superior Court,
accusing Sony BMG of not addressing the issue thoroughly enough. Part of
that action will include SunnComm, which also delivers content protection to
Sony BMG. "Sony BMG is to be commended for its acknowledgment of the serious
security problems caused by its XCP software, but it needs to go further to
regain the public's trust," said Corynne McSherry, an EFF staff attorney.
"It is unconscionable for Sony BMG to refuse to respond to the privacy and
other problems created by the over 20 million CDs containing the SunnComm
software." The EFF action is part of a growing level of scrutiny surrounding
SunnComm MediaMax discs, though so far it does not appear that the company
has created any serious security vulnerabilities for consumers.