Sony suffers loss of fans after hidden CD copy protection fiasco. The music giant has egg on its face over software that installs itself on a PC without permission.
Sony BMG Music Entertainment has backed down over outrage at its controversial copy-protection software on some of its CDs. The music company has said that they will pull some of its most popular CDs from stores in response to the backlash to its software.
The software has been called "inept ware" by Graham Curley, senior technology consultant for Sophos plc. It was developed by UK -based company First4Internet.
Sony has also said that it will offer exchanges for consumers who purchased the discs which contain hidden files that leave them vulnerable to computer viruses when played on a PC.
The furore over the discs all began when Sony chose to install the software without first seeking permission from PC users, and then using technology called 'rootkit' to hide its presence.
The whole issue began when a music fan and blogger traced a hidden, spyware type file on his computer from a CD. Other XCP copy-protected CDs include new releases by Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper and Burt Bacharach.
Sony began adding copy protection to its CDs in June 2004 with the release of a record by the band Velvet Revolver, saying it was taking a step against online file-sharing and CD burning. The label says it will issue all major releases with copy- protection in 2006, as will rival label EMI.
Sony has apologised for the "inconvenience to customers and remains committed to providing an enjoyable and safe music experience" the company said. Sony has said that more than 20 titles have been released with the XCP copy- protection software, and of those CDs over 4 million have been manufactured, and 2.1 million sold.
However, it remains to be seen if the damage has been done already. Some customers of the record company and its parent Sony Corp are somewhat less forgiving.
Denis Barr of Kansas City, USA said, "I am personally making it a policy of mine that from this point on, Sony won't be able to sell me anything. My family has a Playstation 2 plus some games and I have a Sony CD player in my stereo rack.
But no more- no Sony music , no Sony appliances, no Sony gadgets of any kind. They've lost my business for life."
More US consumers were equally disgusted by the developments in Sony, "I don't condone piracy, but the unbridled greed of Sony is disgusting, "Michael King, Salinas, California, said.
"They are saying what the other record companies think- they own the information forever, even if you buy it, and have the unlimited right to control the information, including its use no matter what or where."
Many artists have spoken out about all forms of copy-protected CDs, including Dave Mathews Band, and the Foo Fighters.
The availability of the music to Apple iPod users is a critical issue. Sony also said that all of its copy-protected CDs are clearly marked but only on the reverse of the CD where it is only in the small print that the code "/ XCP" is visible.
The anti-piracy technology prevents customers from making more than a few copies of the CD. It also prevents the CD from up loading to the Apple iPod which is one of the most popular music technologies around at the moment.
Security companies have disclosed that hackers were distributing malicious programs over the Internet using the controversial 'cloaking element', the device which renders the spyware almost invisible. The 'rootkit' cloaks the program so it is almost invisible to the PC users.
Sony has been very aggresive in its stance against piracy and what it considers the theft of music over the internet, the XCP copy-protection is only the latest in a number of measures to prevent 'burning' of CDs.
Besides the loss in sales, Sony seems to have suffered as a brand also. Some security experts believe that while Sony was not malicious in its intent, it has suffered a backlash none the less.
Sony seems to have made a bad decision in trying to do something right - protect its property.
Profile
Company Name: Sony Group
Headquaters: Tokyo , Japan
Employees: 151, 400
Profits in Q2 2005: $ 15.07 billlion
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