FTC finally settles with Sony BMG over rootkit

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Sony BMG started with a class-action lawsuit, continued with a settlement with state attorneys general and ended with the federal government. I use the term “ended” very loosely. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a settlement with Sony: a set of conditions that will change the way Sony BMG markets CDs in the future. The company is now required to clearly label DRM-protected discs and is prohibited from installing any software without notifying and gaining consent from the user (there's a shocker!

. Sony BMG is also required to provide exchanges for existing DRM-enabled CDs until June 31, 2007, and pay up to $150 to anyone who spent money trying to remove the rootkit or repair any damage from it.

"Consumers' computers belong to them and companies must adequately disclose unexpected limitations on the customary use of their products so consumers can make informed decisions regarding whether to purchase and install that content," said FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras.

News source: Ars Technica

#1 Zirus on 31 Jan 2007 - 04:28

Yea, now how about an option NOT to ever install DRM. THAT would be great.

#2 MrCobra on 31 Jan 2007 - 04:30

Quote -

Sony BMG is also required to provide exchanges for existing DRM-enabled CDs until June 31, 2007, and pay up to $150 to anyone who spent money trying to remove the rootkit or repair any damage from it.

Only $150! That's a kick in the teeth. They broke the DMCA by not stating DRM was on the disc(s). They broke laws by using stolen code. Ect, ect, ect. All that aside, what if it caused more monetary damage than that?

(1 reply) #3 Funy on 31 Jan 2007 - 08:21

and i bet it only covers america too. what about us brits

I have a faithless album here which came with a rootkit, after putting it in to play i then couldnt rip any of my legally owned music onto my computer so i could then move to my ipod.

at the time the sony/rootkit story hadnt really been big news that anyone had heard about and ended up having to reload xp from scratch to get rid of it.

THANKS SONY!

#3.1 TRC on 31 Jan 2007 - 09:09

Uh, Federal Trade Commission. So yeah, since that's part of our government.

(1 reply) #4 Croquant on 31 Jan 2007 - 12:01

The FTC is obviously corrupt. This should have been a DOJ investigation, but the Bush administration is too buddy-buddy with the RIAA to every allow anything more than a lap on the wrist.

#4.1 Aero Ultimate on 31 Jan 2007 - 20:23

Quote - (Croquant said @ #4)

You bet. $150 is a joke. They bribed the Ftc with a good sum so they can get away easily.

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