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Copy-ProtectionSony BMG Settles FTC Charges Over Copy-Protected "Rootkit" CDsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 30, 2007 - 1:38pm.
Washington - Major record label Sony BMG has settled Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charges that it sold CDs containing anti-piracy "rootkit" software that could open consumers' computers to attacks.
Next-Generation DVD Copy-Protection AACS Ready for LicensingAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 22, 2006 - 4:22am.
Los Angeles - The entertainment and technology firms developing the Advanced Access Content System (AACS), a technology designed to secure video on next-generation Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, announced on Wednesday the availability of the technology through interim licensing agreements. The release of the content protection specification has been long-awaited, as Blu-ray developer Sony, HD DVD developer Toshiba and their manufacturing partners prepare the first next-generation DVD players for release. Companies involved in the development of AACS include IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Matsushita, Sony, Toshiba, Disney and Warner Bros. The AACS licensing body said that the final license agreement for AACS is expected in the coming months.
SunnComm to Submit CD Copy-Protection Software for Security TestingAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 3, 2006 - 6:52am.
San Francisco - SunnComm Technologies, a developer of CD copy-protection software that was found to open computers to security risks, has agreed to address problems with the software and comply with requests for independent security reviews from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), a digital civil liberties group. SunnComm said that future versions of its MediaMax software will not install when a user declines the license agreement that appears when a CD is first inserted into a computer, and also provide uninstallers in all versions of MediaMax. The company will also submit all future versions of its copy-protection software to an independent security-testing firm, and make the results public; it has also promised not to prosecute legitimate security researchers for violations of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. "While we continue to disagree with SunnComm on the wisdom of CD copy protection in general, we are pleased that it has taken important steps to notify consumers of the security vulnerability and help resolve the security and privacy issues raised by the MediaMax software," said EFF staff attorney Kurt Opsahl.
EMI Considers Outside Inspection of CD Copy-Protection TechnologyAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 20, 2006 - 2:49am.
London - In the wake of the Sony BMG CD copy-protection debacle, major record label EMI is considering a request from a digital civil liberties group to enable security researchers to examine its own copy-protection technology for potential risks, ZDNet UK reported. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) sent an open letter to EMI, asking for assurances that researchers would not face legal recourse when studying its copy-protection technology, which is provided by Macrovision; the EFF claimed some researches have previously received legal threats from copy-protection vendors. "Music fans deserve to know whether EMI's copy-restricted CDs are exposing their computers to security risks," said EFF senior staff attorney Fred von Lohmann. "When it comes to computer security, it pays to have as many independent experts kick the tires as possible, and that can only happen if EMI assures those experts that they won't be sued for their trouble." An EMI spokesman told ZDNet UK its copy-protection has "no rootkit issues" and "never loads DRM onto a user's hard drive without the user's permission."
Sony BMG Offers Cash, Free Downloads to Settle CD Copy-Protection SuitsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on January 3, 2006 - 8:16am.
Los Angeles - Major record label Sony BMG has proposed offering free music downloads to millions of consumers who joined class action lawsuits after purchasing CDs containing anti-piracy software that created security risks for their computers. The proposed settlement, filed in federal court in Manhattan, would provide up to 11 million consumers who purchased the faulty CDs with either $7.50 in cash and one free digital album from a list of 200, or else three free albums from the list. "The proposed settlement will provide significant benefits for consumers who bought the flawed CDs," said Cindy Cohn, legal director at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which is representing some consumers. "Under the terms, those consumers will get what they thought they were buying -- music that will play on their computers without restriction or security risk. EFF is continuing discussions with Sony BMG, however, and believes that there is more they can do to protect music lovers in the future." Sony BMG was forced to recall millions of music CDs after it was discovered that the copy-protection technology they contained could allow malicious software to be installed on computers by third parties.
Toshiba Delays Japanese HD DVD Launch While Copy-Protection FinalizedAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on December 13, 2005 - 2:52am.
Tokyo - Japanese electronics firm Toshiba announced on Tuesday that it will delay the launch of its next-generation HD DVD players in Japan, scheduled before year's end, as it finalizes the copy-protection technology on the devices. The company still expects to launch the devices in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2006. Toshiba is waiting on the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) copy-protection technology to launch its HD DVD players and notebook PCs with HD DVD drives in Japan. "I cannot say when the AACS issues will be resolved," a Toshiba spokeswoman told Reuters, adding, "but it's hard to think the launch in Japan will come after the U.S. launch." Sony plans to include its rival next-generation Blu-ray DVD technology inside the PlayStation 3, and is expected to launch the format some time in the spring of 2006.
MediaMax Patches CD Copy-Protection Risk, Names New CEOAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 22, 2005 - 11:09am.
Phoenix, Ariz. - MediaMax Technology, a developer of anti-piracy technology that is merging with fellow anti-piracy firm SunnComm Technologies, on Tuesday released a statement responding to the revelation that computer researchers discovered a security risk in its CD copy-protection software. The company said it has patched the security hole in the program, used to uninstall the security software included on millions of CDs from Sony BMG and other labels. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. We also want to thank Professor Edward W. Felten, J. Alex Halderman and the Princeton team of computer experts," said Kevin Clement, CEO of MediaMax. Clement officially became CEO of the company on Tuesday; previously, he was senior director of new technology at Sony BMG. The company said outgoing president and CEO William Whitmore Jr. will continue to serve as an executive vice president and board member.
SonyBMG Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over CD Copy-ProtectionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 10, 2005 - 8:27am.
Los Angeles - California consumers have filed a class-action lawsuit against major record label SonyBMG, claiming their computers have been harmed by the company's recently-uncovered use of a controversial CD copy-protection technology, Reuters reported. The label and its anti-piracy software partner, First 4 Internet, used a hacker method called a "rootkit" to hide their CD copy-protection software deep within a computer's operating system. Antivirus firms have stated that trying to remove the software could impair a PC's ability to play CDs. The lawsuit, filed on Nov. 1, seeks damages, and also asks that SonyBMG stop selling the 20 or so music albums containing the technology. Consumers argue that Sony made no disclosure of what its anti-piracy tool was doing, and that the software also depletes a computer's available resources. A vice president with Computer Associates told CNET News.com that the software also reports back to Sony BMG on which CDs users listen to on their PCs, and potentially can impair ripping any CD, not just the copy-protected SonyBMG releases.
SonyBMG to Remove Virus Writer Tool From CD Copy-ProtectionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 2, 2005 - 4:06am.
San Francisco - SonyBMG and First 4 Internet, a company providing CD copy-protection technology to the major record label, are now working with antivirus firms to eliminate the use of a virus writer technique that hid their anti-piracy software deep within a computer's operating system, CNET News.com reported on Wednesday. After a blog posting on Monday revealed that a "rootkit" was being installed when users put SonyBMG CDs in their PCs, several computer security firms noted that virus writers could potentially use the record label's anti-piracy tool to hide a virus on a user's computer. The rootkit was used in First 4 Internet CD copy-protection embedded on SonyBMG albums for artists including Van Zant and My Morning Jacket. A patch that eliminates the rootkit will be included in automatic security updates provided by antivirus companies, and also through SonyBMG's website.
SonyBMG Using Virus Writer Technique to Improve CD Copy-ProtectionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 1, 2005 - 4:45am.
San Francisco - Major record label SonyBMG has adopted a technique used by virus writers to hide their tracks, in an effort to ramp up its CD copy-protection technology, CNET News.com reported. The "rootkit," used by malware writers to cloak their code deep within an operating system -- making it more difficult for a user to delete -- is part of U.K.-based anti-piracy firm First4Internet's CD copy-protection technology, which
2GeeksinaLab Develop Global Garde CD, DVD Copy-ProtectionAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on October 24, 2005 - 7:21am.
Palmdale, Calif. - Software developer 2GeeksinaLab on Monday introduced its Global Garde CD and DVD copy-protection technology, which the company says prevents users from being able to "rip" music, video, games and software contained on CDs and DVDs onto the Internet. Palmdale, Calif.-based 2GeeksinaLab said its technology is platform independent, player independent and does not rely on specially installed chipsets and hardware devices embedded in current playback and digital recording devices, or require additional software to be downloaded to the PC or other playback device. The company said Global Garde will be released in early 2006.
Copy-Protection Developer Macrovision Acquires Zero G SoftwareAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on June 14, 2005 - 9:32am.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Macrovision, a developer of electronic licensing, installation and CD and DVD copy-protection technologies, said on Monday that it has acquired San Francisco-based Zero G Software, a privately held provider of software deployment and delivery technologies for multi-platform operating system environments. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Dan Stickel, an executive vice president for Macrovision, said that the acquisition will allow his company to offer software publishers and their customers with "a seamless software installation experience across all platforms." Zero G Software will become part of Macrovision's Software Technologies Group and expand Macrovision's product portfolio in the software value management category. Macrovision will continue to provide support for all of Zero G's products.
Sony BMG CD Copy-Protection Would Limit CD BurningAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on May 31, 2005 - 5:27am.
New York -- Major record label Sony BMG is experimenting with CD copy-protection technology that would prevent consumers from making multiple copies of CDs they purchase, Billboard reported. "Two-thirds of all piracy comes from ripping and burning CDs, which is why making the CD a secure format is of the utmost importance," Thomas Hesse, president of global digital business for Sony BMG, told Billboard. U.K.-based First4Internet developed the "sterile burning" technology, which has now been embedded on more than 1 million commercially sold discs since March. The technology limits the number of burned copies a consumer may make of a purchased CD, and includes technology that prevents one from making copies of those copies. "Most consumers accept that making a copy for personal use is really what they want it for," First4Internet CEO Mathew Gilliat-Smith told Billboard. "The industry is keen to make sure that is not abused by making copies for other people that would otherwise go buy a CD."
Macrovision Debuts New DVD Copy-Protection SchemeAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 15, 2005 - 10:38am.
Santa Clara, Calif. -- Macrovision, a developer of anti-piracy technologies for recorded media, announced on Tuesday the release of a new copy-protection technology for DVD video. RipGuard DVD "plugs the 'digital hole' created by PC-based DeCSS ripper software," the company said, referring to a crack of early DVD copy-protection -- widely available online -- that allows users to defeat DVD security and make copies of movies. Macrovision said RipGuard is applied directly to discs, and does not require additional hardware or software for computers or DVD players. "RipGuard DVD is designed to dramatically reduce DVD ripping and the resulting supply of illegal P2P content," said Macrovision executive vice president Steve Weinstein. "Ultimately, we see RipGuard DVD and the ACP framework evolving beyond anti-piracy, and towards enablement of legitimate on-line transactions, interoperability in tomorrow's digital home, and the upcoming high definition formats." Santa Clara, Calif.-based Macrovision expects RipGuard DVD to become widely available in the second quarter of 2005.
CD Copy-Protection Marketer QuietTiger Secures $5 Million Credit LineAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 23, 2004 - 4:26am.
Phoenix, Ariz. -- QuietTiger, a sales and marketing company partnered with CD and DVD copy-protection firm SunnComm, announced on Tuesday that it has secured a $5 million equity line of credit from Double U Master Fund. The credit line will allow the company to sell up to $5 million of common stock, at a price of no less than $0.25 per share. SunnComm's CD copy-protection technology, which competes with rival Macrovision's system, has been employed by major label BMG and others on over 6 million commercially released CDs, including an album from Velvet Revolver which reached #1 on the Billboard charts. "This equity line will ensure that QuietTiger has the resources to meet its ongoing financial commitments to SunnComm relating to the terms of the exclusive marketing agreement for the MediaMax CD copy management suite of products," said QuietTiger CEO William H. Whitmore. "Having access to this capital will allow us to fulfill our current obligations as we continue to increase the revenue streams for both companies and rollout the technology worldwide."
RIAA Lobbies for Copy-Protection for Digital RadioAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on June 10, 2004 - 10:38am.
Washington -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is actively lobbying for copyright protection to be added to the medium of digital radio, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The RIAA has argued for anti-piracy measures "in documents and meetings at the FCC and in communications with other industry trade groups," and planned to make the issue a focus of a Congressional hearing on digital copyrights that was postponed this week due to the Reagan funeral. So far, only about 100 U.S. radio stations have adopted iBiquity Digital's HD Radio technology, which allows traditional stations to transmit a digital signal alongside their traditional analog signals. "We're in favor of HD radio," RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol told THR. "It offers great benefits for consumers and everyone involved, but we're not blind to several concerns. Someone could cherry-pick songs off a broadcast and fill up a personal library and then post it on Kazaa." Consumer electronics firms and broadcasters say the RIAA is exaggerating the potential for digital radio piracy. "They've sold a half-million digital radios in Great Britain over the past five years, and this problem hasn't come up," Consumer Electronics Association vice president Michael Petricone told THR. "It's premature to ask the FCC for restrictions on devices for a problem that might not exist."
New Intel Chips to Offer Copy-Protection for Cell Phones, PDAsAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on April 13, 2004 - 6:18am.
Taipei, Taiwan -- Chipmaker Intel has announced a new line of processors for cell phones and PDAs that include digital rights management technology designed to allow copyright holders to determine how their music, movies and other media content is used on the devices. The Intel PXA27x family of processors (formerly code-named "Bulverde") will offer hardware-based security for digital media content, which the company hopes will spur providers to feel more comfortable releasing more of their content for cell phones and wireless devices. Intel has not announced any phone makers that will utilize the new chips, but said that firms including Microsoft, Symbian and PalmSource will include support on their PDA software and hardware.
CD Copy-Protection Firm Quiet Tiger to Acquire DarkNoise TechnologiesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on February 4, 2004 - 1:44am.
Phoenix, Ariz. -- Quiet Tiger, an international marketing firm and vendor for anti-piracy firm SunnComm's CD copy-protection products, announced on Wednesday that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire U.K.-based DarkNoise Technologies, a developer of copy-protection technology. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. DarkNoise's technology purports to plug the "analog hole" by restricting the uploading of music files to the Internet without reducing playability on all devices. A hidden audio watermark is embedded onto the CD, which is inaudible if the CD is legally copied. However, if a user attempts to illegally copy the protected audio using analog recording devices, analog-to-digital converters or conversion to MP3, the watermark becomes audible -- ruining the unauthorized copy. Arizona-based SunnComm intends to combine the technology with its own CD copy-protection technology, and said it will have beta versions available for testing by record companies within 60 days.
Sony to Test CD Copy-Protection Technology on German ReleaseAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 10, 2003 - 8:00am.
New York -- Major record label Sony Music, which last week announced its intention to merge with fellow major Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG), said it will begin testing CD copy-protection technology on releases in Germany, Reuters reported. Sony's "ConnecteD" technology consists of a "second session" of data on the disc that includes versions of songs that will play on a PC and portable players but won't upload to the Internet. At the outset, only Sony portable players will be supported, but the company said it is working with other firms to develop plug-ins to support other models. "We believe we can deliver more value by delivering more immediate content, an interactive experience, a better experience," Sony Music chief technology officer Phil Wiser told Reuters. "Even if you could go to a [file-sharing] site and download a single song, you won't get the kind of content that we can deliver." The first Sony disc to feature the copy-protection will be the German release of an album from the group Naturally Seven. Sony told Reuters it will gauge reactions from the release there before contemplating copy-protection on discs in other regions.
FarStone Software Defeats PC Game Copy-Protection to Allow Backup CopiesAuthored by Mark Hefflinger on November 6, 2003 - 8:09am.
Irvine, Calif. -- In a move likely to draw scrutiny from lawyers in the video game industry, security and CD/DVD software developer FarStone Technology has released a program that defeats the copy-protection technology on PC video games so that users may make back-up copies of the CD or DVD discs. Irvine, Calif.-based FarStone says its GameCopy software does not violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which makes it a crime to circumvent the copyright protections on a digital device, such as video game software. Similar software from 321 Studios that allows users to defeat protections and make backup copies of DVD movies drew a lawsuit from the major Hollywood movie studios. "It's the only program of its kind on the market. I think consumers will be excited to save hundreds of dollars in replacing lost or damaged game discs by protecting their investment with backup copies," said FarStone CEO Thomas Lin. However, the company says that GameCopy "works with all four of the major copy protections," allowing users to bypass Macrovision's SafeDisc and SafeDisc 2, Sony's SecuROM and MLS LaserLock. A copyright disclaimer on the company's website reads: "GameCopy may be used only to make the one archival copy permitted under section 117 of the Copyright Act and for no other purpose." Founded in 1993, FarStone claims partnerships with technology firms including Intel, Toshiba, NEC and Acer.
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