Tuesday, November 15, 2005 :: 7:20:00 PM

Remember the Terminator movies? Remember Cyberdine Systems? They're the ones that controlled all the robots that eventually destroyed the world.

Sony is the real world's Cyberdine.

If you guys dont follow any sort of tech news, I've got a doozie for you. It was discovered last week that when you insert a Sony music CD into your computer, that CD implants something called a Root Kit. I say implant because a Root Kit doesn't simply install.... it literally digs it's way into the core of Windows itself so that your virus scanner doesn't even know it's there because WINDOWS DOESN'T EVEN KNOW IT'S THERE!!! It thinks it's a part of the operating system.

When you put the CD into your drive a box will pop up asking you if you want to install something along the lines of 'extended' or 'interactive' features.. so you obviously click 'yes' because you think you'll get some cool videos or a link to some great sites about the artists...

Wrong.

It's worse than spyware, it's worse than adware... basically it opens up a direct line of communication between you and Sony Music and they can find out what you're doing with your music... whether you're trying to rip it, what you're playing... basically anything they want to find out.

Of course, the box that pops up has a EULA..... so it should be ok, right??

What's that you ask? What's a EULA? Yea, dont worry about it if you dont know because not many people read them... I never have. It's the End User Licence Agreement. Basically it's the contract that you sign stating that it's ok for whatever software to install what it needs to to run. But who reads those? When you install something you just keep clicking 'next' or 'ok' until you're done right?

So it's our fault, as consumers, that we dont read the EULA therefore Sony Music is not responsible for their actions....

If only that were true - because NOWHERE in the Licence Agreement does it say ANYTHING about the nature of the Root Kit OR what it does!!!!

As a result of this, the entire State of California is sueing Sony Music.... The ENTIRE COUNTRY OF ITALY is sueing Sony over it... And those are just the first two.. And now the police are involved...

So this is really big news.... It's insane!

A couple other little things to show you Sony has really gone over the edge... In the very same EULA that doesn't talk about the Root Kit, it states that, and I'll paraphrase, 'If you file for bankruptcy, you must destroy all Sony Music on your harddrive.'

Oh, I forgot to mention....... They've been doing this for the last few years so chances are if you have ever inserted a Sony CD in the last few years into your computer - you're infected...

Happy Musicing!!!!!!


Until next time.......
*fade to black*

:: Eldorado ::