Search - Coral :: The Invisible Invasion

DRM + EULA = Don't Buy!

Brendan Ribera | Seattle, WA | 11/14/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"As many other reviewers note, these CDs install MALICIOUS software WIHTOUT REQUIRING CONSENT from the user.



This is not the only problem, howerver. Sony's End User License Agreement requires the following things of all consumers who purchase this "content protected" music:



1. If your house gets burgled, you have to delete all your music from your laptop when you get home. That's because the EULA says that your rights to any copies terminate as soon as you no longer possess the original CD.



2. You can't keep your music on any computers at work. The EULA only gives you the right to put copies on a "personal home computer system owned by you."



3. If you move out of the country, you have to delete all your music. The EULA specifically forbids "export" outside the country where you reside.



4. You must install any and all updates, or else lose the music on your computer. The EULA immediately terminates if you fail to install any update. No more holding out on those hobble-ware downgrades masquerading as updates.



5. Sony-BMG can install and use backdoors in the copy protection software or media player to "enforce their rights" against you, at any time, without notice. And Sony-BMG disclaims any liability if this "self help" crashes your computer, exposes you to security risks, or any other harm.



6. The EULA says Sony-BMG will never be liable to you for more than $5.00. That's right, no matter what happens, you can't even get back what you paid for the CD.



7. If you file for bankruptcy, you have to delete all the music on your computer. Seriously.



8. You have no right to transfer the music on your computer, even along with the original CD.



9. Forget about using the music as a soundtrack for your latest family photo slideshow, or mash-ups, or sampling. The EULA forbids changing, altering, or make derivative works from the music on your computer.



Refer to the following for details:



List of Affected CDs

EULA analysis

Rootkit analysis

Continued rootkit analysis

"

Boycott - This CD installs virus on your computer that makes

D. Garcia | Los Angeles | 11/14/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"If this screws up your machine do you think Sony will pay to fix it?"

A great album spoilt by Malicious Software

Just Joe | 11/17/2005

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Let me first say that this album and the Coral are great and this items would have received 4/5 had it not been for SonyBMG using the underdeveloped and highly dangerous "First 4 Internet XCP DRM" software.



Once it is installed, it "Hides" itself from detection in the same way a virus would, and it has now been shown to create a legitimate threat to consumers PC's running certain Windows OS. It has been shown that malicious software such as viruses and ad-ware could use this programs "Hide" capability to become almost untraceable. Unfortunately XCP DRM is very difficult to remove without damaging the reliability of your computer system.



SonyBMG have accepted little responsibility, have been very slow to act and have made it difficult for consumers to protect themselves. Although they have created a "upgrade" for the software it has been advised that users should not do this as the "upgrade" actually makes matters worse.



If you like the Coral and you are not going to play this on a PC then go ahead and buy it. If you are going to use it on a computer however, I'd advise trying to pick up an Import or Unprotected copy.



If you have already bought this product and have installed the "malware" XCP DRM, do yourselves a favour and don't download the "upgrade". Microsoft, Symantec and many others are working on a "proper" fix.



If you have already installed the "upgrade" from the Sony site then unfortunately you're in limbo... you might be able to take legal action if something happens but the EULA provided with the "malware" pretty much negates any legal rights you may have had. You can thank congress for that..."