Sony BMG and Sterile Burning
p2pnet.net News:- What is it? Two days? Three days?
The mainstream press has been focusing on the ‘news’ of Sony BMG’s attempts to stop people from copying its discs for quite a while.
So what’s captured their attention this time? "Sterile burning,’ a method that’s said to limit how many times someone can copy a diss. DRM supposedly stops the burned disc from being copied repeatedly.
“Under the new solution, tracks ripped and burned from a copy-protected disc are copied to a blank CD in Microsoft’s Windows Media Audio format,” is how CNET explains it. “The DRM embedded on the discs bars the burned CD from being copied.”
It’s the technique that’s sterile. It’s the unspeakable in pursuit of the unnattainable, to paraphrase Oscar Wilde yet again.
IF SOMETHING CAN BE SEEN OR HEARD, IT CAN BE COPIED by various analog and digital means.
Below are a few samples of the current headlines/
Sony arms CDs with copy-protection scheme: Xinhua, China – BEIJING, June 1 — Sony has started shipping compact discs armed with copy-protection technology provided by the UK-based anti-piracy specialist First4Internet …
Sony BMG tests technology to limit CD burning: CNET News.com – As part of its mounting US rollout of content-enhanced and copy-protected CDs, Sony BMG Music Entertainment is testing technology solutions that bar consumers …
Sony to extend its CD DRM experiment: PC Pro, UK – Sony BMG, the music arm of the consumer electronics giant, is stepping up the introduction new anti-copying software for a range of its music CDs. …
Sony Tests CD Copy Protection: Techtree.com, India – Sony BMG Music entertainment is testing a technology solution to enhance copy protection of CDs, barring consumers from making additional copies of burned CD-R …
Sony tests anti-pirate CDs: Inquirer, UK – SONY SAYS that it is testing CDs featuring technology from UK anti-piracy outfit First4Internet, that will allow punters to only make a limited number of copies …
Sony BMG tests technology to limit CD burning: Reuters – By Brian Garrity. NEW YORK (Billboard) – As part of its mounting US rollout of content-enhanced and copy-protected CDs, Sony BMG …
Ahhh.. The power of the press.
Fortunately, however, the Net is diverting the mainstream press into a sidewater. No matter what the publishers say.
Something you think we should know? tips[at]p2pnet.net
See:-
Sterile burning - SunnComm vs First4Internet, May 30, 2005
publishers – Is the Net killing print papers?, p2pnet, May 31, 2005
June 1st, 2005 at 1:38 pm
I would like to know how this technology actually works. If my CD player will play the CD, then my CD Burner will also play the CD, If my CD burner will play the CD, then it can be recorded to my harddrive.
The only way that I can see that this new format will change anything is if that there is a new format which will require all new CD players. If the copy protection involves computer code preventing copying being embedded into the CD, then I have nothing to worry about. I run Linux.
Those who still run WInblows can always hold down the shift key for about a minut whenever one of these CD’s is inserted. Failing that, the music can alway be ripped by having the output of a CD player fed into the input jack of the soundcard. Better yet, just don’y listen to or buy the cartel’s crap!!!
June 2nd, 2005 at 3:03 pm
(New York) 31 June 2005: Sony BMG announce a lawsuit today against 8 year old Robbie Reynolds of Totowa NJ. Robbie discovered that he could prevent Sony new “This time it’s REALLY secure” copy protection scheme from loading with the CD by holding down the Q,A,Z,W,S,X,E,D, and C keys simultaneously as this was what he was doing when he went to pick his pop-tart up off the floor while the CD was loading. He alleged then told his friends Eddie Hauser and Billy Perkins about this, thus violating the DCMA, landing the trio in hot water. Sony is asking for $10,000,000 in damages……..
June 2nd, 2005 at 5:26 pm
(New York) 31 June 2005: Sony BMG announced a lawsuit today against 8 year old Robbie Reynolds of Totowa NJ. Robbie discovered that he could prevent Sony’s new “This time it’s REALLY secure” copy protection scheme from loading with the CD by holding down the Q,A,Z,W,S,X,E,D, and C keys simultaneously as this was what he was doing when he went to pick his pop-tart up off the floor as the CD was loading. He allegedly then told his friends Eddie Hauser and Billy Perkins about this, thus violating the DCMA, landing the trio in hot water. Sony is asking for $10,000,000 in damages……..
Updating the earlier story, an unnamed spokesman for Sony BMG, when asked for comment on the pending suit stated, “We spent over $10 million dollars to develop the new copy protection system and some klutzy kid with a hot toaster pastry has to go and ruin it for everyone. We’re not amused.”
Later in the day, the RIAA filed supporting briefs in the matter. At the courthouse, a man wearing an expensive suit with an RIAA logo pinned to the carefully pressed lapel, when pressed for comment about suing children stated, “Well, our financial people have studied this matter thoroughly, as have our economic consultants from FMA (ed note: Fuzzy Math Associates) and have concluded that it is far more cost effective to sue children than it is to sue dead people or elderly women who have never owned a computer.
The ADNCs (Almost Deceased, No Computer) usually get very angry and have a defensable position and ask for attorney’s fees. The deceased have special legal protections and usually that have been in that state for such a period of time that their assets have already been distributed. With the kids, we can scare the bejezus out of them, have their father saying things like “We’re going to lose the house!” and there’s at least 60 years of future earnings there to garnish. This should teach kids that they shouldn’t mess around with dangerous things that they (and we) don’t understand like software.”
The three alleged circumvention culprits have had their computer privileges revoked, and will be interviewed by investigators for the Department of Homeland Security tomorrow in the boiler room of their elementary school right after juice and cookies.
June 2nd, 2005 at 6:46 pm
If the facts are indeed as listed above:
Any Judge who rules for Sony in this case should get a bullet for treason. He or she (judge) swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC.
June 3rd, 2005 at 8:44 am
Your homework for today:
1. Look up the word ’satire’ in the dictionary. Yes, an on-line dictionary is acceptable
2. Visit the site http://theonion.com/ to see several excellent examples of this genre of literature.
3. Create your own example of satire to discover just how much fun it can be, as well as a good workout for one’s imagination and intellect.