Sony's dodgy copy-protected CDs? Affect Macs?
Ok, im sure you've all heard about Sony's illegal attempts to govern (and track) how we listen to our legally purchased music (if not then this article will give you a good start). As soon as i read it i was inspired to knock up the below image, but also wondered, does this spyware affect Macs?
I'm guessing it doesn't but i haven't read so. If someone could clear it up i'd like to know. Even if it doesn't, it's still an incredibly low move for Sony to make.
It looks like George Olwell's Big Brother is slowly coming true.
The best fact i've had pointed out to me with this whole argument is that those who purchase (or aquire) a pirated copy of one of Sony's recently-protected CDs, actually get a better product than those who buy the ligitimate copy. Seriously, do these record companies actually think about how we, the consumers, might react?
I'm guessing it doesn't but i haven't read so. If someone could clear it up i'd like to know. Even if it doesn't, it's still an incredibly low move for Sony to make.
It looks like George Olwell's Big Brother is slowly coming true.
The best fact i've had pointed out to me with this whole argument is that those who purchase (or aquire) a pirated copy of one of Sony's recently-protected CDs, actually get a better product than those who buy the ligitimate copy. Seriously, do these record companies actually think about how we, the consumers, might react?
Comments
You already own copyright on your image. If you create it, copyright is automatic. On the other hand, if you tried to publicize and use your copyrighted image, it's an open question if Sony would sue you for intfringement of their own copyrighted logo. Courts seem to be pretty friendly to megacorporations in these sorts of cases (see Mike Row's software website, Sam Buck's coffee shop, etc.).
It doesn't affect Macs. There are reports that the same company that produced the Windows rootkit for Sony also wrote a Mac version, and that this version is even included on the CD - but it is not installed on your Mac when you insert the CD. I think because Macs have no autorun feature to allow automatic execution of programs on CDs. So Macs are immune to this particular spyware, but only because Sony's minions couldn't figure out a good delivery strategy.
I came acrossthis last night.
Thanks for the copyright info.
Darren Dittrich followed up on the discovery that Sony was playing a dirty trick on its customers, secretly installing a malware-style "root kit" on their computers via audio CDs:
I recently purchased Imogen Heap's new CD (Speak for Yourself), an RCA Victor release, but with distribution credited to Sony/BMG. Reading recent reports of a Sony rootkit, I decided to poke around. In addition to the standard volume for AIFF files, there's a smaller extra partition for "enhanced" content. I was surprised to find a "Start.app" Mac application in addition to the expected Windows-related files. Running this app brings up a long legal agreement, clicking Continue prompts you for your username/password (uh-oh!), and then promptly exits. Digging around a bit, I find that Start.app actually installs 2 files: PhoenixNub1.kext and PhoenixNub12.kext.
Personally, I'm not a big fan of anyone installing kernel extensions on my Mac. In Sony's defense, upon closer reading of the EULA, they essentially tell you that they will be installing software. Also, this is apparently not the same technology used in the recent Windows rootkits (made by XCP), but rather a DRM codebase developed by SunnComm, who promotes their Mac-aware DRM technology on their site.
The lesson for today is: don't go out of your way to install strange software unless you're reasonably sure what you're installing. Fortunately, I think the kernel extensions are easier to remove than the Windows rootkit.