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Universal Music Hit with Anti-Piracy Suit

Posted by michael on from the sticky-fingers dept.

prostoalex writes "Remember Bon Jovi trying to fight piracy with individual PIN numbers that legitimate buyers could get off the CD? DownloadCard, who claims to have invented the technology, filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group saying the music execs stole the technology and trade secrets from the company. Yahoo! Launch headline suggests that Bon Jovi album might be delayed because of the lawsuit."

8 of 220 comments (clear)

  1. Good to know by Inthewire · · Score: 1, Interesting


    Ha ha!
    </nelson>

    Should've run a patent search, no?

    Well, maybe not. Theft of trade secrets suggest that this isn't a patent issue.

    Fuck it.

    --


    Writers imply. Readers infer.
  2. This gives me an idea! by antisocial77 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Somebody go get a bunch of patents on anti-piracy googaws and then claim prior-art on all the companies attempting to put stuff like this in place. When it ends up costing them more money in legal fees than they would allegedly recoop from the stop of piracy, they'll just give up. Hopefully.

    Yes, I know it's a pipe dream. So what.

  3. delayed launch by Eric+Smith · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Yahoo! Launch headline suggests that Bon Jovi album might be delayed because of the lawsuit.
    I don't suppose it has occurred to anyone at Universal to simply release the album as an ordinary CD with no PIN? And that consumers might actually buy it?
  4. Fat chance... by zman99 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I really can't possibly see this lawsuit winning. This is the same model of registration that the software industry has been using for years.

    • Buy the software
    • Register it with your personal serial number
    • Get free updates, tech support, newsletters, etc.

    If this isn't an example of prior art, then I don't know what is. Once again, the consumer is getting screwed while the lawyers cash in....

    --
    Tolerance does not tolerate intolerance, or hypocrisy.
  5. Re:Yeah, but look on the bright side... by Lord+Sauron · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The MP3s have already been released in alt.binaries.sounds.mp3.complete_cd, 17 days ago, on Sep. 11.

    So, all we need now is a keygen that makes codes to access that web page that offers exclusive content.

  6. Read the articles next time... by gleffler · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Um, Universal is a customer of Downloadcard, which you find out if you read the article. Maybe they're having a tiff or something, but look here, and see: "Cards manufactured in English, French and German offer several exclusive Universal Records rock tracks to fans in many foreign territories."

    I think what has acutally happened is that Downloadcard is mad that Universal is taking their toys and going home and not using their service anymore.

  7. Stole the tech? by geek · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Umm it's a PIN for crying out loud. Banks have been using this same system for ages, not to mention about a billion other business. I mean really whats the diff between this technology wise than with a CD key for winxp?

    All it is, is a number that allows you to access a service or feature. I could do this with pen and paper if I wanted too.

    Maybe i'm not understanding their "technology", so feel free to correct me.

  8. Re:So? by Monkelectric · · Score: 3, Interesting
    More IP BS, this time entirely between those that abuse such laws regularly.

    Live by the sword, die by the arrow ... the irony is deliscious

    --

    Religion is a gateway psychosis. -- Dave Foley