Texas nails Sony BMG. Again
p2p news / p2pnet: The eyes of Texas are already upon Sony BMG as it looks for damages following a, “technological version of cloak-and-dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers,” as attorney general Greg Abbott recently described Sony’s DRM rootkit spyware invasion farce.
Now Abbott has expanded his lawsuit, “alleging that a second form of anti-piracy technology used by the label violates the state’s spyware and deceptive trade practices laws,” says the Associated Press.
And this time, SunnComm’s wholly ineffective MediaMax DRM application is the subject.
The new allegations involve “an unrelated CD copy-protection technology known as MediaMax,” which was loaded on 27 Sony BMG titles.
“We keep discovering additional methods Sony used to deceive Texas consumers who thought they were simply buying music,” Abbott is quoted as saying.
But, “BMG officials said in a statement that they are working with Abbott’s office and believe they can prove they have responded appropriately to his concerns,” says AP.
Would said officials include Thomas Hesse, the head of Sony BMG’s global digital business, one wonders?
He recently characterized Sony BMG’s attempt to secretly penetrate customers’ computers via music CDs loaded with hidden spyware as a “slight” issue.
“The security issues with MediaMax are not uncommon and are completely addressed by a software update which we already have made available, as is standard practice when problems with consumer software are identified,” the statement said.
Texas can recover up to $100,000 in damages for each violation of the spyware law and $20,000 in damages for each violation of the deceptive trade practices law, says AP, adding:
“Individuals whose computers were affected by the anti-piracy technology also can recover damages.”
Also See:
cloak-and-dagger deceit – Texas joins Sue Sony frenzy, November 22, 2005
Associated Press – Texas expands spyware lawsuit against Sony BMG, December 21, 2005
27 Sony BMG titles – SunnComm Dangerous DRM patch, December 7, 2005
“slight” issue – Sony BMG tries to minimise scandal, December 10, 2005
December 22nd, 2005 at 6:23 pm
And Microsoft gave them the “Designed for Windows” certification.
At least that’s what Sunncomm says:
http://www.sunncomm.com/Brochure/SunncommPage2.htm
December 23rd, 2005 at 2:01 am
Way to go Texas! Even if George Dubya is from there.
December 23rd, 2005 at 4:04 pm
I predicted- (Unfortunatly) and god I sure hope I am wrong, that this will, for most part all go away for Sony-BMG as soon as they get to the right person in Texas that will accept and take a payoff. Sony /BMG can offer Millions of dollars ea. to 10’s of Texas politicians, judges etc and still will come out away head of the game concidering what it will cost them if Texas actually goes ahead with the suit and wins. If nothing else, to save face on both sides this suit itself will be watered down conciderably and make of Texas Officals rich, or richer at least by yours and mine standards. OH how money talks, even to the most honest of people.