Sony Rips Off Open-Source Software.
As if this weren't bad enough, BMG now appears to have ripped off LGPL components from LAME -- without giving proper respect due.
So Sony is stealing code to keep people from stealing their music.
stealing, copyright infringement.. .whatever
BURN THEM!!!
heh. 'Burn' as in burn a CD, right? Heh. Me funny
And they didn't even need to hire an A&R guy to do it.
The Schadenfreude is delicious!
Jeez, Sony, it's one thing after another. When will you learn?! Sheesh.
When will you learn?! Sheesh.
Well, I think this is all the same incident.
It's getting weirder...
"With some help from Sabre Security, Sebastian Porst and Matti Nikki have identified some stolen GPL'd code in Sony's rootkit. Ironically the code in question seems to be VLC's demux/mp4/drms.c -- the de-DRMS code which circumvents Apple's DRM, written by 'DVD' Jon Lech Johansen and Sam Hocevar."
from /.
Hello?! Hello?! Is this thing on? Sony steals software that is in violation with the DMCA to slip into their abysmal malware? Can someone please turn reality back on?
Remember Sony didn't write the DRM software but bought it from another company who did copy write it. Sony does need to be punished over this, though, as they did distribute that anti-social maltware.
Remember Sony didn't write the DRM software but bought it from another company
True, but:
First4Internet, eh?... let's see... according to public records, they were incorporated 24/11/1999. In 2004 they had a turnover of £709,941 and operating expenses of £1,301,546 -- meaning an operating loss of £591,605. In the last five years they have, on average, lost £541,067 a year. For 2004, their credit rating is "HIGH RISK" (complete with capitalisation). Meanwhile, the four directors share annual renumeration of £224,413 between them (average £56,103 each).
One of the directors, Nicholas Bingham, (appointed in 2002) was director of "Sony pictures home entertainment Ltd." from 1989 to 1997, and director of "Sony pictures television production UK Ltd." from 1996 to 2000, and director of "Sony digital radio europe Ltd." from 1994 to 2000.
A cynic might say Sony selected this inept copy protection technology because it was supplied by one of thier cronies. The reason this is a bad business practice can be seen by the software's many failings.
This is probably not the right reaction, but every single time I read about Sony inappropriately using open source software I laugh. I think it is so damn funny. It's partly the shadenfreude as ThreeDayMonk said, but it's more than that. The irony is so good it almost burns.
Just one thing that struck me - after reading the list of XCP 'protected' CDs... maybe Armstrong or Sinatra, but I've never heard of any other of those artists OR ever intended to buy any of those (Celine Dion? Chayane? Auuurghghhh).
copywrite it. Sony does need to be punished over this, though, as they did distribute that anti-social maltware.