Sony BMG Pulls Rootkit - Sony BMG Statement on Pulling Rootkit   - 1,423 Views, 4 Comments

Summary: Sony BMG has announced that it is temporarily stopping the use of the rootkit technology which has gotten them so much bad press and into so much hot water.

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The Sony rootkit fiasco just keeps on growing. This week, following the filing of at least one lawsuit against Sony over the rootkits, Sony has announced that they will “suspend the manufacture of CDs containing” the rootkit technology.

Here is the full Sony statement:

“We are aware that a computer virus is circulating that may affect computers with XCP content protection software. The XCP software is included on a limited number of SONY BMG content protected titles. This potential problem has no effect on the use of these discs in conventional, non-computer-based, CD and DVD players.

In response to these events, SONY BMG has swiftly provided a patch to all major anti-virus companies and to the general public that guards against precisely the type of virus now said to exist. The patch fixes the possible software problem, and still allows CDs to be played on personal computers. It can be downloaded at http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/. Starting today, we will also be adding this link to the SONY BMG label and corporate sites. We deeply regret any possible inconvenience this may cause.

We stand by content protection technology as an important tool to protect our intellectual property rights and those of our artists. Nonetheless, as a precautionary measure, SONY BMG is temporarily suspending the manufacture of CDs containing XCP technology. We also intend to re-examine all aspects of our content protection initiative to be sure that it continues to meet our goals of security and ease of consumer use. More information about our content protection initiative can also be found at: http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp.”

It’s a pity that evidence of corrective actions can’t be introduced at trial to demonstrate the need for that corrective action.

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Read more:

»  Sony Caves on RootKit, Pulls CDs, Offers Exchange Program

»  Lawsuit Filed Against Sony BMG Over Sony Rootkit

»  Sony BMG Settles Lawsuits Over First4Internet XCP Rootkit and MediaMax Security Hole

»  State of Texas Sues Sony BMG Over Music CD Rootkits

For additional similar stories check out our archives on Internet Law, Security

 

4 Comments »

  1. Please note that they never state they will refrain from implimenting policies that will stop installing unknown patches to your system. They only garantee consumers will find it easy to use their product, and to meet their security issues not your’s. Their polices are better understood by what they leave out with their careful wording.

    “We also intend to re-examine all aspects of our content protection initiative to be sure that it continues to meet our goals of security and ease of consumer use.”

    Comment by Greg — 11/12/2005 @ 7:09 am

  2. Sony is toast.

    Comment by Fred — 11/12/2005 @ 12:58 pm

  3. So does Sony’s about turn mean that I can take my “defective” - rootkit included - Sony CDs back to the store and get “non-defective” - no rootkit included - replacements free of charge ?

    Comment by David B — 11/15/2005 @ 12:03 am

  4. No recall on the Cd’s, eh? I hope the law suite lawyers takes them to the cleaners. But we all know that they will get the government to step in and either put pressure or even change the laws to allow them to continue hacking the consumer. After all, can anyone tell me one politician that isn’t receiving payments under the table?

    Comment by Mic — 11/15/2005 @ 1:33 am

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 This article first appeared on 11/12/2005
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