'Poison' CD to catch copyists

theage.com.au ^ | 5/14/02 | Garry Barker

[GeneD]

The writing could be on the wall for computer buffs who copy music CDs for their friends.

Sony Music has planted a "poisoned pellet" of software in Celine Dion's latest CD, A New Day Has Come, that is capable of crashing, and in cases permanently freezing, the optical drives of personal computers into which the discs are inserted.

Michael Speck, of the Australian Record Industry Association, confirmed yesterday that the anti-piracy software trials were under way but said "spiked" CDs had not so far been distributed in Australia, but it was inevitable. The music companies were "simply protecting their property", he said.

Computer users disagree. They say they should be able to use their computers to play CDs for which they have paid, should be able to copy songs into MP3 portable music players and be free to make "personal" copies of CDs they have bought. Most of all, they say, the music companies should not get away with damaging expensive personal computers, which appears to have occurred in Britain.

Mr Speck said the big music companies were not concerned about individual copying, but with how to beat mass piracy.

[GeneD]

I smell a lawsuit.

[Bikers4Bush]

I smell a BIIIIG lawsuit. Intentionally crashing a computer when no crime has been comitted?

[martin_fierro]

All the more reason to burn these CDs -- not in a CDRW, but in a FIREPLACE!

[Mixer]

Sony can not legally stop people from using their PC as a way to play a CD that they paid for. This is going to be huge lawsuit if it ever hits the USA. Many people may use their Computer (attached to their home stereo) as their only means for listening to music. How can Sony tell those people that they can no longer buy music like everyone else?

[Paid4This]

There is at least one prominent class action lawyer in Texas currently researching this matter. There seems to be some confusion about what exactly the CD will do to your system if you try to run it.

[X-USAF]

The way I understand it, if the CD doesn't have the "Compact Disc Digital Audio" Logo on it, then it is not a CD, it is a Disc.

For the time being, do not put any Disc in your computer unless it has the appropriate logo.

[mgc1122]

LOL! These people at Sony ain't bright, are they?

[AFreeBird]

How can Sony tell those people that they can no longer buy music like everyone else?

Especially when SONY sells CD drives that play audio CD's!!

[Thud]

Chinese curse: "May your children live in interesting times."

American curse: "May your life be filled with lawyers."

[thinktwice]

simply protecting their property

Intentionally destroying another's property because they might be stealing your property is no less a crime than rigging shotguns to shoot supposed burglars.

[mhking]

Sony Music has planted a "poisoned pellet" of software in Celine Dion's latest CD, A New Day Has Come, that is capable of crashing, and in cases permanently freezing, the optical drives of personal computers into which the discs are inserted.

If a Mac user puts this disc in their computer to listen to it - not copy it, just listen to it, it will corrupt their firmware, and force them to have to go to a repair center to fix their computer. Sony has no business putting this type of media into circulation.

I realize that they are attempting to prevent mass copying of the media, to create media that purposefully damages a computer is completely out of bounds, and potentially actionable.

Many people purchase CD's to use at work on their computers while working. They have alienated that entire potential user base. I know that I, for one, won't be purchasing any more music from Sony - at least until they can warrant that this damage wouldn't happen to my computer.

[DrDavid]

I haven't tried it, but I think it isn't very hard to make a bit for bit copy of these CD's (including the copy protection). This would mean that the original intent of preventing pirating isn't going to work.

However, if the pirates figure out how to remove the copy protection, the pirated versions of the CD's would be more valuable than the original!

[ThreeYearLurker]

I thought that the 1980's heavy metal group "Poison" was putting out a new album.

Alas, poor Bret Michaels, we hardly knew thee.

[Mixer]

Especially when SONY sells CD drives that play audio CD's!!

Excellent point! I suggest that Sony first take a brave step and make CD-R drives for PCs that are incapable of
playing Audio CDs....see how many companies follow you?

LOL

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, Sony is giving new meaning to 'Open up and say ah...."

[Eala]

LOL! These people at Sony ain't bright, are they?

Nope. I'm not buying any more "Sony Classical" CDs (or that new Mavica or...)

It's not a boycott, it's self protection. Sony has now clearly and unmistakably established the fact that they can not ever be trusted again. (This little move puts them a step or two below even Microsoft, in my book, and that's a hard thing to do.)

[Rifleman]

This pin headed copy protection can be disabled with a piece of opaque tape or a sharpy marker and a steady hand. The music industry steps on its tiny peepee once again.

[GeneD]

Here is a list from the British-based Campaign for Digital Rights of CDs that may be unplayable due to copy-protection schemes. They're mostly limited to Europe, but as Charley Pride fans know, they won't stay there for long.

[steve-b]

Sony Music has planted a "poisoned pellet" of software in Celine Dion's latest CD

That's a good description of Celine Dion's voice.

Seriously, if this crap locks up somebody's computer, they're going to get slam-dunked in court.

[GSWarrior]

Here's an idea. Lower CD prices so people aren't as likely to copy them.