EMI quick to distance itself from Sony over Rootkit DRM
Posted on 10/11/05 12:22 by Quakester2000                             
EMI quick to distance itself from Sony over Rootkit DRM

DamnedIfIknow used our news submit to tell us that music companies are starting to distance themselves from Sony over the DRM rootkit saga which now faces legal action in the USA. The EMI music group one of the biggest in the world has publicly distanced itself from Sony BMG by saying that it does not use DRM Rootkits.

Sony has been highly criticized for its DRM rootkit software that runs in the background even when the copy protected cd isn't in use. The software which is practically impossible to remove via normal uninstalling techniques and has to be removed manually as Sony's recently released uninstaller doesn't remove the files just makes them visible.

EMI publicly announced that any DRM software they use can be easily removed if the user does not want to listen to the cd anymore.  EMI reiterated that its DRM program does not leave traces of itself on the users system and does not run in the background. EMI has also publicly distanced itself from First 4 Internet the company that developed Sony's DRM rootkit, saying that they were not working with First 4 Internet. Though EMI did say that they were trialling other content protection from companies such as Macrovision's, SunnComm and Sony.

While Sony's drm rootkit has sparked outrage it would be particularly hard to sue Sony in the UK even if the users system was damaged by the software according to legal experts.

EMIThe EMI Group, one of the world's largest recording companies, has distanced itself from the controversy surrounding digital rights management (DRM) software used by Sony BMG by stating that it does not use rootkits on its own products.

SonySony has been criticized for including DRM software with a music CD that runs even when the CD is not being played, and hides itself using rootkit technology. The software is difficult to remove and, if removed manually, could shut off access to the computer's CD player.It has been rumored that other recording giants including EMI and the Universal Music Group use technology similar to that used by Sony; an EMI spokesman said on Friday that the DRM used on EMI's CDs can be completely removed if the user doesn't want to play the CD any more.

"The content-protection software that we're using can be easily uninstalled with a standard uninstaller that comes on the disc. EMI is not using any software that hides traces of the program. There is no 'rootkit' behavior, and there are no processes left running in the background," said an EMI spokesman in a statement.EMI also said it was not working with First 4 Internet, the U.K. company that created the copy-restriction software for Sony, although it is trialing other content-protection software.

"EMI is not using First 4 Internet technology. We recently completed a trial of three content-protection technologies (Macrovision's CDS300, SunnComm's MediaMax and SonyDADC's key2audioXS), and First 4 Internet's technology was not one of those tested," said the spokesman.

Universal Music Group was unable to provide comment in time for this article.Although Sony's use of rootkits has sparked an outcry, users would find it difficult to sue Sony in the U.K., even if their computer was damaged by its copy-restriction software, according to legal experts.

 

Source: News.com

Reactions
Discuss this article with your fellow community members! We appreciate your valuable input, but please keep the reaction policy in mind and make sure your reaction is constructive.
By Autopenguin, Thu 10 Nov 2005 16:18
Ah no, of course EMI doesn't use rootkits. EMI does much more sinister things, such as corrupting redbook audio data to try to foil copying. At least Sony's protection rubbish is confined to a hidden driver that's easily avoided, leaving the user with a standard redbook CDDA disc to use.
By drphobus, Thu 10 Nov 2005 19:41
Here in the UK we have a law the Criminal misuse act was originally for crashing companies computers by disgruntled employees but think it might work for this
By dentman42, Thu 10 Nov 2005 20:50
I keep seeing references to Sony's uninstall utility. Does anyone know for sure if they release one that will actually remove the rootkit (at least without reinstalling a newer version)?
By Roj, Thu 10 Nov 2005 22:08
It is time for consumers to begin the long overdue backlash against DRM. EMI should be the next target for not adhering to Redbook standards as should any other company utilizing this technique. Boycott their products and charge them with fraud because even though they do not display the CD logo, the intent is to sell the merchandise as a CD. If enough people start to sue and raise a fuss, perhaps some of those rights so willingly signed away by sheep can be reclaimed but the window of opportunity is small. In short: NOW.

Name: Email:



Your comment:

Receive notification on new comments?