Well, they've gone and done it this time. Sony, a company actually NOT listed in the Fortune 500 ONLY because they're not based in the United States, comes up with the idea to mass-produce and release music CDs with built-in Digital Rights Management (DRM) tools. As a business decision, they should have every right to do so. Unfair distribution of copyrighted materials could potentially cost a company a slice of its net profit, so why not put in a safeguard to protect an asset? It only helps to benefit the company, the consumer, and the economy as a whole. In reality, everyone wins...

... until it's discovered that the DRM package with XCP copy protection software was designed to be hidden from the consumers who unknowingly purchased it as a part of their music collection. Much uproar ensues. Privacy concerns are sparked. People are unhappy with the discovery that their new purchase contains a hidden component that apparently utilizes a technology also found in malware. So, with swift urgency and grace, Sony does the right thing and offers an "uninstall package" to soothe consumer fears. The package is distributed and everyone wins...

... until it's discovered that the aforementioned "uninstall package" can also apparently be compromised for malicious use. At least one vulnerability is announced and even the big boys get involved. Sony has already suspended production of CDs with XCP, but then holds press conferences and other media sessions in an attempt to justify its position in using a potentially invasive technology to protect its assets. By offering such explanations, Sony quells public concerns and everyone wins...

...until it's discovered that the DRM installation can be defeated using a strip of tape, that the state of Texas and the Electronic Frontier Foundation have decided to sue Sony BMG, and that Sony actually was alerted about their technology issues almost a full month BEFORE the mainstream media picked up on the story. Finally, the truth is being told, and well...

... everyone wins... except Sony.

Lyger