News and Reviews....

    SONY BMG Hides The Pea  December 2005

 By Robert Lieto

I have been following an interesting story for the past few weeks. It seems that SONY BMG Music has been hiding something in their CDs that has really got some people ticked off. At the beginning of November a story broke that CDs from certain SONY BMG artists were shipped embedded with XCP (Extended Copy Protection) . This is a digital rights management software designed to prevent illegal music copying. The interesting part of the story is that the XCP installs itself as something called a Windows RootKit within your PC. That type of install prevents the user from deleting it from their computer using "Add/Remove Programs" and if deleted manually renders your CD Drive inoperative. To make matters worse, the install renders your PC more open to Hackers and Virus spreaders.

The matter has gotten so much attention, that Congress has opened hearings on the rights of users to copy software (CDs) purchased for their own use. They now believe that the rights of consumers are now being infringed upon, as they took up cause in the Video Tape wars of the late 60's and 70's. It is just ironic that SONY is at the core of the issue once again.

Comment .....  I think the music studios are obligated to give us music, the way the artist intended. Most of the folks I know don't like the compressed sound associated with downloaded music. I believe that the average consumer should be able to make as many copies of a purchased CD as they need. This behind the scene type of action by SONY BMG is uncalled for and low and just serves to drive one more wedge between the CD consumer and the marketplace. Hey...If you want to sell more CDs give us something to buy and use, create a better CD.

Have a comment on the subject in this article, please let us know on our email page.