“A judge Friday tentatively approved a proposed settlement of lawsuits against Sony BMG Music Entertainment that would give millions of consumers free music downloads to compensate them for flawed software on CDs,” The Associated Press reports. “U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald gave her approval after a hearing in which lawyers explained the deal that requires the world’s second-largest music label to stop manufacturing compact discs software that can leave computers vulnerable to hackers. The settlement pertained to lawsuits alleging that the vulnerabilities were created by MediaMax software or with extended copy protection or XCP software.”
“According to terms of the settlement, Sony BMG will let consumers who bought the CDs receive replacement discs without the anti-piracy technology and will let them choose one of two incentive packages,” AP reports. “The first package lets consumers who bought XCP CDs to obtain a cash payment of $7.50 and a promotion code allowing them to download one additional album from a list of more than 200 titles. The second package permits them to download three additional albums from the list. The court papers said Sony BMG would try to offer Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes as one of the download services available to the consumers.”
Full article here.
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Enough with the Sony rootkit story, MDN. They’re beaten already – good job!
Now how about some news that directly influences Apple?
And what will the penalty be if Sony includes DRM on its CDs again?
this is kind of related to Apple.. read last sentence
“The court papers said Sony BMG would try to offer Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes as one of the download services available to the consumers.”
What’s with this “try” crap?! There’s no practical impediment to doing so, and if I was someone affected by the rootkit fiasco, I’d expect to be able to download my free albums from wherever I f*cking choose. It’s outrageous – even after what occurred, Sony are still “trying” to dictate the consumer’s behaviour…
“Would try” doesn’t seem very promising though… I would so choose 3 iTunes albums over cash and one album.
blah, blah, blah…–
Now how about some news that directly influences Apple?
Did you miss the part about iTunes downloads being offered as compensation? I’d say that directly influences/affects Apple.
how in the world is this a “civil” suit?
This is a criminal case…. at least it would be if you replace “Sony” with “18 year old loner”.
This is just a ruling that should finalize everyone’s decision to avoid purchasing any Sony BMG CDs . When nobody buys because nobody trusts, it will send a clear message to clear that hidden aol-type crap from their product. Just my 2 bits.
Andrew Hamilton
Videographers in Las Vegas
Hamilton International Productions
http://www.hiproductions.com