Amazing, I just finished reading a pair of posts about how some Sony CDs now install secret software that prevents you from detecting their copyright protection scheme. Such software is illegal and is poorly written. It can even be used by virus to hide themselves. Go read these two articles and never buy from Sony again.
Rootkit is technology that hides software from the user and security software. This kind of technology is normally used by malware authors that want their presence to remain undetected in the system as long as possible. DRM software is not malicious but it has other reasons for hiding from the user. DRM software restricts the user’s ability to make copies of a record and for that reason uses technology that prevents removal and modification of the software.
EULASony BMG is currently using a rootkit-based DRM system on some CD records sold in USA. As far as we know, this system has been in use since March 2005. We’ve made some test purchases for Sony BMG records from Amazon.com and can confirm that they contained this technology.
Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far
The entire experience was frustrating and irritating. Not only had Sony put software on my system that uses techniques commonly used by malware to mask its presence, the software is poorly written and provides no means for uninstall. Worse, most users that stumble across the cloaked files with a RKR scan will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files.
While I believe in the media industry’s right to use copy protection mechanisms to prevent illegal copying, I don’t think that we’ve found the right balance of fair use and copy protection, yet. This is a clear case of Sony taking DRM too far.
