p2pnet news | Music:- “Under the, ‘You knew it was coming sooner or later’ heading, Sony BMG Music Entertainment is suing The Amergence Group,” p2pnet posted recently.

Amergence? Never heard of them?

That could be because it was formerly SunnComm International, “the company which developed MediaMax, a spyware DRM application which, included on Sony music CDs, sparked an international scandal that’s still reverberating around the world.,” p2pnet went on.

Now, “We have recently received notice that Sony-BMG has withdrawn its lawsuit against The Amergence Group,” says an investor’s statement, continuing:

Although the music giant can decide to re-institute the lawsuit at a later time, Amergence shareholders should know that we are prepared to defend the action. In addition, the Company is currently contemplating a counter-suit against Sony-BMG for the damage they’ve caused by bringing the action against the Company and through what we believe to be the reckless introduction of rootkit technology utilized in a competitor’s technology (First4Internet’s XCP copy protection).

When SunnComm still just SunnComm …

“Jon,” Astrid emailed me, “Unbelievable as it might seem, the people at SunnComm fell for your spoof piece and felt the need to write a denial – Astrid.”

We’d posted a lampoon which among other things said:

From December 1, all iTunes downloads will carry a new kind of Fair Play DRM, a direct negative feedback ‘watermark’ recognized by Fair Play earbuds and, ultimately, by other audio devices from manufacturers who sign up for the code, which was created under a joint SunnComm and Macrovision venture.

When an iPod (or other) user wearing the new audio devices plays an iTunes track not sanctioned by Organized Music (EMI Group, Vivendi Uiversal, Warner Music), Fair Play feedback ‘instructs’ the buds to emit a piercing, high-pitched scream in stereo at 250 decibels.

Microsoft’s PowerHit system is a DRM application keyed to the company’s Power Management technology. Starting at midnight on December 1, all users of Windows 2000 and higher will receive automatic system updates which will instruct desktops, laptops and PDAs running appropriate MS OS software to release a 125-volt anti-p2p DRM ‘charge’ into computer chassis every users attempt to play unauthorised iTunes tracks.

Amergence/Sunncomm boss Peter Jacobs (right) felt compelled to rush out an international press release declaring:

There are published reports circulating online that state SunnComm is creating a new kind of DRM under a joint venture with a competitor named Macrovision (NasdaqNM:MVSN – News).”

It added:

At this time SunnComm is not involved, in any way, with Macrovision as it relates to development projects or other discussions with Apple Computer. Executives at MediaMax Technology Corp. (OTC BB:MMXT.OB – News), the seller of MediaMax, have confirmed that they are not currently working with Macrovision in relation to the development of a new kind of DRM for Apple(r).

(Thanks again, Astrid)

Slashdot it!

Also See:
p2pnet – Sony BMG sues SunnComm (Amergence), July 12, 2007
statement – Sony-BMG withdraws suit against Amergence, September 21, 2007
posted a lampoon – Apple, Microsoft p2p collaboration, November 5, 2005
international press release – SunnComm falls for p2pnet spoof, November 9, 2005

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