5 replies to this topic

[Neon]

Sony BMG's release of a software patch for a controversial anti-piracy program has failed to stem criticism.
The patch was made available following widespread disapproval of Sony's methods of stopping illegal CD copying.

But the patch has left unimpressed the man who started the debate about Sony's copy protection policy.

Analysing the patch, Mark Russinovich said it did not do enough to allay user fears and he urged Sony to release a full uninstallation program.

He also said "There's no way to ensure that you have up-to-date security patches for software you don't know you have and there's no way to remove, update or even identify hidden software that's crashing your computer," he wrote.

Sony BMG should produce proper uninstallation software and be much more explicit about the methods it was using to stop its CDs being copied, said Mr Russinovich.

Currently anyone wishing to uninstall the proprietary player must apply to Sony BMG via a website. Mr Russinovich has applied to Sony for the uninstaller and plans to post an analysis of that when it arrives.

First 4 Internet, which made the copy protection system for Sony BMG, said that it would work with anti-virus companies to ensure that false alarms were not triggered by its software.

Sony says that users have been adequately warned about the copy protection software in the licence agreement and had been told that it used proprietary software to play the CD.

Do you think this technique is ok?

[tntoak]

Considering that a Sony rep said yesterday that the rootkit wasn't a big deal because people didn't know what it did, I don't believe anything those snake oil salesmen claim anymore...

[RedInferno]

Maybe you should put this in news karl...

[ShadowFox]

Red It was in the news... I put it there, it just got covered by 7 other ******* posts from the same person

[RedInferno]

Ahh. So this is like the discussion thread then...

[ShadowFox]

Yeah, see we need it AUTOMATICALLY put into the news section or we, as newsposters, can just repost our news on the board if it can't be done, no problem there.