Okay, so it's really an update now...

Sony has backpedalled almost as far as they can. They pulled all the CDs that have the protection software from the distribution channel, removed the DRM stuff from CDs they're now distributing, and in today's updates,, are offering a free unprotected replacement CD to anyone who got one of the bad ones, as well as a link to a site where they can download unprotected MP3s of the songs.

I guess once Microsoft calling the stuff malware and planning to issue tools to remove it was a sign they'd gone too far.

In a side twist, the DRM tool also apparently contains some open source software, but mentions nowhere in its licensing or documentation that it does so. That opens new questions about whether the DRM tool itself is violating copyright laws...

If only someone in the RIAA would realize that by treating all their potential customers as thieves, they are in fact encouraging them to become thieves... [img]graemlins/nono.gif[/img]

It seems that removing it is almost as dangerous as the actual root kit. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/11...y_rootkit_drm/

Not if you use a proper removal tool. The problem is, this thing causes parts of windows to call the files it installs, so if you just delete them windows is attempting to use files that no longer exist. Naturaly, this causes nothing good. But, the removal tool repairs the damage the rootkit caused on entry.

And they wonder why CD sales are crappy. duh.

Succinctly said, Z.