Here we'll explore the nexus of legal rulings, Capitol Hill
policy-making, technical standards development, and technological
innovation that creates -- and will recreate -- the networked world as we
know it. Among the topics we'll touch on: intellectual property
conflicts, technical architecture and innovation, the evolution of
copyright, private vs. public interests in Net policy-making, lobbying
and the law, and more.
Disclaimer: the opinions expressed in this weblog are those of the authors and not of their respective institutions.
Ed Felten, tracking Sony/BMG's attempts to get back on the security wagon in the wake of the rootkit DRM scandal [emphasis, mine]:
Yesterday, the companies released a software update that they say “removes the cloaking technology component that has been recently discussed in a number of articles”. Reading that statement, and the press statements by company representitives, you might think that that’s all the update does. It’s not.
The update is more than 3.5 megabytes in size, and it appears to contain new versions of almost all the files included in the initial installation of the entire DRM system, as well as creating some new files. In short, they’re not just taking away the rootkit-like function — they’re almost certainly adding things to the system as well. And once again, they’re not disclosing what they’re doing.
Speaking of disclosure, Felten also responds to law professor Eric Goldman, who argues that regardless of how people feel about DRM, Sony/BMG's EULA appears to cross all the t's and dot the i's. Writes Felten [emphasis, mine]:
While the legal question is beyond my expertise, it’s awfully hard to see how, from a common-sense viewpoint, SonyBMG could be said to have disclosed that they might be installing rootkit-like software. Surely the user’s consent to installing “a small proprietary software program … intended to protect the audio files embodied on the CD” does not give SonyBMG free rein to do absolutely anything they like to the user’s computer.
Surely not. And that's where (much of) the anger and outrage is coming from.
1. Hemmo Kemilainen on November 3, 2005 12:35 PM writes...
This is even worse.
I did play the CD in a machine that has no internet connection. Ther is no way I can remove the program! I contacted Sony and here is what they said:
'Thank you for contacting Sony BMG Online.
Although a non-ActiveX uninstall process is already in development, at this time
the online process is your ONLY removal option. Should you prefer to wait for
the next uninstall version, it is due to be released later this month at:
http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html
Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.
SonyBMG spyware discoveries (previously reported at SonyBMG Invades Your Computer and SonyBMG Invasion Even Uglier), continue. Even US Homeland Security advises people never to install any software from a music CD. Here is a list of currently found da... [Read More]
1. Hemmo Kemilainen on November 3, 2005 12:35 PM writes...
This is even worse.
I did play the CD in a machine that has no internet connection. Ther is no way I can remove the program! I contacted Sony and here is what they said:
'Thank you for contacting Sony BMG Online.
Although a non-ActiveX uninstall process is already in development, at this time
the online process is your ONLY removal option. Should you prefer to wait for
the next uninstall version, it is due to be released later this month at:
http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html
Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.
The Sony BMG Online Support Team
Permalink to CommentCC2X
John'
2. Wonderbread on November 12, 2005 5:21 PM writes...
Email BMG Chairman Andrew Lack!
andrew.lack@sonybmg.com
Permalink to Comment