Friday, November 4, 2005

Sony to help remove DRM

A Sony BMG CD has secretly installed DRM software and used "rootkit" cloaking methods to hide it. With the story sweeping across the Net, <A HREF="http://www.betanews.com/article/Sony_to_Help_Remove_its_DRM_Rootkit/1130965475">Sony is attempting to clean up its mess.</A> Using technology developed by British software company First 4 Internet, the CDs limit the number of copy-protected backups that can be made. To enforce the restriction, software and drivers are installed without a user's knowledge when the CD is accessed. The company has decided to issue a patch to eliminate the cloaking and "allay any unnecessary concerns." The DRM software will not be removed, however, only uncovered; that means users will still be unable to delete it without risk of rendering their CD drive inoperable. Customers must contact Sony BMG support for removal instructions.

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