Doug Jacobs

In alt.games.video.sony-playstation2 Technobarbarian <Technobarbarian-ztopzpam@gmail.com> wrote:


The problem is that these licenses are begining to infringe on local and
federal laws. Furthermore, many times, you can't even read the license
until you've open the package, or tried to install the thing. Many stores
won't accept returns on opened music or software. Even though the license
says you are entitled to your money back, the license is between you and
the company - not the store.


Read about Sony's rootkit incident.

This was software that was installed on machines without the users'
knowledge or permission. As such, this actually violates some fledging
laws regarding computer privacy.

And as a special bonus, rootkit is very hard to remove fully, makes your
machine extremely unstable, AND also opened your computer to a number of
security exploits. All this, and you still aren't allowed to rip the CD -
which violates another federal law.

Oh yeah, and there was no indication on the package that the CD would
prevent you from ripping it, so people ended up trying to return what
they thought was a "defective" CD to stores - who only gave them an
exchange or store credit. Meanwhile, they unknowingly got to keep rootkit
free, as a "special gift" from Sony.


Strengthened my rights!? Where is it written that I have the right to
allow software companies to secretly install other programs on my PC as
they see fit - and that these secret programs may decrease system
performance or functionality?

How about the CD copy protection scheme that would crash your computer?
How does this strengthen my rights?

Phillips actually sued over that one, claiming the music publisher could
not use the "Audio CD" trademarks on a CD that clearly was outside the
spec.


And if it's the only game in town, are you willing to stop buying music
altogether?


You're assuming that the companies will disclose what DRM (if any) they
are including on their products. In many of the existing examples - there
is no disclosure on the front of the package! If the companies refuse to
give you the proper information in the first place, how can you be
expected to make an educated choice?

Technobarbarian

"Doug Jacobs" <djacobs@shell.rawbw.com> wrote in message
news:12iaj87h356qjd3@corp.supernews.com...

Isolated incident - red herring

Exactly my point, your rights have not been reduced.


Smart consumers learn from these experiences. The first time this
happens shame on them. The second time shame on you.

Meanwhile, they unknowingly got to keep rootkit

I'm sorry. I assumed you live on planet Earth. Here we have LOTS of
choices. I can't speak for your planet.

Easy, after the first purchase of this sort you have been educated.
Those who are too slow to learn their lesson are fair game.

I'n not saying the media industry isn't acting like a bunch of
assholes. I am saying that at this point your "rights" are intact. I've got
a lot of copyrighted material in my house. The way I use it has not changed.
If you don't like the way you're being treated don't buy the crap, but
whining about "rights" isn't going to get you anywhere.

TB

Doug Jacobs

In alt.games.video.sony-playstation2 Technobarbarian <Technobarbarian-ztopzpam@gmail.com> wrote:


It's a perfect example though. In order to exercise my rights to play the
CD on my PC, I would have to have this software installed on my PC - with
out my knowledge. Had Sony informed consumers up front what software was
going to be installed and what its purpose was, those who still chose to
install it would at least be making a conscious decision to do so.


Why, because Sony isn't the government? You are aware that private
entities are perfectly capable of violating laws and private rights.


So, if you're not reading all the latest tech news everyday, then shame on
you? Sure, I'm a technology geek. I read the web, try to keep myself up
to date on new technology and such, but I also think it's unreasonable to
expect everyone else to do the same thing. What, you're going to tell
your mother whose computer just got pwned due to the rootkit "Shame on you
for not knowing about Sony's Rootkit, ma!"

And even though I do try to keep current, I still think it's unreasonable
that I even have to be AWARE of such things. Why do I have to know how to
edit my Windows' Registry just so I can "fix" what other companies'
products break? Why do I have to know how to scribble on the backs of CDs
with a sharpie because some lame company thought it'd be keen if they
tried to stop me from using the CD in an intended method?

Do you agree that people should be allowed to use the technology without
having to spend hours and hours poring over technical manuals and articles
and such? I drive a car. I don't know entirely how the car works, nor
would I know how to fix it. That's why I take it to a mechanic. But by
your argument, you think we should all become professional mechanics?
That's completely unreasonable.

Even today there's news about the latest ploy to try to make DVDs
unplayable on computer DVD players. Sure, there's a hack already, but I
find it more and more tiring that I have to continually fight this war
against the stupid media companies just to use the license I legitimately
purchased from them in the first place.

Yeah, sure, there's always the ultimate option - just stop buying media
altogether. At the rate things are going, that's looking more and more
attractive.


Other than not buying the product, what are these "choices" you speak of?
If someone wanted a CD published by Sony, it's not as if they can go
across the street to, say, Virgin and ask them to press you a copy.

iTunes or something similar (but still legal)? You assume that the music
in question is actually available. Not all of the publishers have
embraced the online world.

So that leaves either illegal downloads or other forms of piracy. Not
really an option, and, will just play into the hands of the RIAA and MPAA
who claim it's because of piracy that publishers NEED to put more and more
restrictive DRM on their products. It makes sense in a twisted way. They
certainly can't do a whole lot to the folks who are pirating their work,
but they can certainly make their legitimate customers suffer...oh
yes...make them suffer a lot...


Again, you presume that the consumer has to basically become a technophile
in order to learn about these things in the first place. Even then, the
longer term effects of having Starforce on your machine took weeks, even
months, to manifest. Even if you were a PC mechanic, the LAST thing
you'd normally suspect is that game you deleted off your HDD last week...

Yes, now we know. Fortunatly, I didn't lose any hardware to Starforce,
but I know friends who did, not to mention the hours and hours they spent
trying to fix their machine due to a problem that shouldn't have even
occured in the first place.