Texas Sues Sony Under Anti-Spyware Law

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.



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Over 250,000 Canadians are reported to have Sony spyware on their computers.You must contact Sony for a removal tool as it stands right now.:rolleyes: So if you don't know about this,and have one of those audio cd's you are screwed..

a$$holes!:mad:
 
I was readin in a UK pc mag called Micro Mart that sony have been busy filin patents for their PS3, one of them includes a way of lockin a blu-ray disc to the first console/player it's played on meanin U can lend them to Ur mates or even use them on a new console if the original one works, it will also knock out the market for secong hand games :(

They really are takin the mick out of their consumers, i hope they get the sued for millions if not billions.

BaNzI :D
 
Hope the people keep fighting back!!:mad:

I suspect the # of Canadian Sony spyware cd's is much higher BTW.That figure probably came from Sony.:rolleyes:
 
U gotta remember that fony said the XCP wasnt a security risk & it was, they then lied about the nymber of cd's with it on it, they even said there were none in the UK & there was loads, they also said that it didnt phone home & it does.

Moral of the story, dont trust fony.

BaNzI :D
 
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