Record Labels Release Software To Combat Piracy

mrsalty writes "CNET reports that IFPI representatives are pushing a new piece of software to delete filesharing programs. It will also 'search computers for music and movies and remove any illegal copies'." From the article: "Digital File Check is easy to use and can help people prevent their employees, children and others from illegally downloading and swapping movies ... It could be especially useful for parents who want to encourage their children to enjoy music responsibly on the Internet ... It is free, voluntary and for private use only and does not tip off any antipiracy organizations."

Comments

fair trade?

[overpayd]

"Please remove your spyware-filled file-sharing software in favor of our spyware-filled file-sharing-deleter software." -IFPI

Re:fair trade?

[nudeatom]

I tried, but it wont run on Linux. Damn this crappy operating system. I will be forced to continue using P2P networks to download fully legal software and NOT illegal music

Re:fair trade?

[nmb3000]

I tried, but it wont run on Linux.

That's alright. For those using a unsupported operating system, the **AA will send you a device to help you remove all pirated material on your computer and iPod.

If you want to be doubly sure though, you can send your computer away and they'll run it through their automagic de-pirater device.

Either way, you're sure to be safe from those evil pirated files!

Re:fair trade?

[lbmouse]

Turn the tables...
Who wants to be the first to write a new piece of software to delete the Digital File Check software? It should 'search computers for annoying file-sharing-deletion programs and remove any it finds'. It should be easy to use and can help people prevent their noisy employers, parents and others from deleting their stash.

Re:fair trade?

[bjheu]

Where's the linux removal--auto-billing Windows restoring app? Not only do I want rid of my P2P apps, but linux is an os of evil hackers and degenerate low-lives who make life harder for all of us by forcing bill gates to increase seurity, DRM etc...

I will take my place by his side, and after we have killed piracy in all of its forms he will restore peace to the internet....

If it weren't for the fact that I found this post amusing, I would have already shot myself for typing such blasphemous remarks.

Re:fair trade?

[moviepig.com]

It ... does not tip off any antipiracy organizations...

...but a version is available that signals each illegal discovery by playing a rendition of "Folsom Prison Blues"...

Re:fair trade?

[C0rinthian]

But is it a legally acquired, authorized copy of "Folsom Prison Blues"?

Re:fair trade?

[Agent Green]

The question is though... ...Does it support Ogg Vorbis?

OH MY GOSH!

[MicroPat]

I can't wait until the download completes!!!!

Re:OH MY GOSH!

[chrismcdirty]

I'd like to know how it differentiates between a legal file and an illegal file. Would it delete my podcasts of a local radio show that are perfectly legal, but distributed in mp3 format? Would it delete a ripped copy of a DVD that I created from a DVD recorder. Would it delete any movie files (mpeg, wmv, avi, mov) I have stored, regardless of their content? Or will it actually perform hashes on every single file stored on the computer that has an extension that could deem it illegal?

Re:OH MY GOSH!

[CTalkobt]

>> I can't wait until the download completes!!!!

Geesh - think of all the disk space I could save!!! Who needs archival copies when you've got the real thing broken into pieces by your moronic three legged cat that really thought it was a frisbee and tried to catch it in her mouth. ( She jumped up, grabbed it in mid-air, bit and decided she didn't like classical music... ).

Re:OH MY GOSH!

[Shadow Wrought]

She jumped up, grabbed it in mid-air, bit and decided she didn't like classical music...

Instead of asking the obvious question, "why were you throwing your CD" (note no "?"- I'm not a asking), I will instead point out that your kitty might have better appreciated an introduction to classical music via listening. If, however, you are comitted to an introduction of classical music via taste, I would recommend that the composers' works are played in the correct order. Nothing tastes worse than decomposing maestros.

Re:OH MY GOSH!

[MCraigW]

I'd like to know how it differentiates between a legal file and an illegal file.

It doesn't. The EULA says that it doesn't and that you have to make that determination yourself. It only deletes what you tell it to delete. The EULA also says it may not find everything.

Re:OH MY GOSH!

[kfg]

In other words the real function of this program is to create fear, uncertainty and doubt in the minds of parents and employers who aren't savvy enough to run find on mp3s and avis.

It doesn't delete anything, it creates social conflict which is it's function. Only they call it "talking to your kids."

KFG

It must use magic!

[Inkieminstrel]

How, pray tell, does it tell the difference between bits that come from my CDs that I own versus those which come from CDs that others own? I believe one of those copies is perfectly legal.

Re:It must use magic!

[CyricZ]

It probably doesn't. After all, these companies don't exactly believe in fair use, even if it is legally mandated. As far as they're concerned, any such file should be treated as an illegal copy, and thus should be deleted. It's quite possible that that's what this software has been designed to assume.

Re:It must use magic!

[LiquidCoooled]

It apparantly can't tell a .txt file from a movie.

On the "Media in other folders" page they list "log.txt" as a legitimate file to delete.
There are others (zip files inside java folders etc)

It also lists something called "music.wma" from the all users/my music folder.

If I remember rightly, thats default and installed legally on windows xp.

Re:It must use magic!

[techstar25]

It doesn't try to determine which is legal and which isn't. It only compiles a list of ALL the media files on your computer, and then compiles a list of all the media file in your "shared" folder. Any deleting has to be done by the user.

Re:It must use magic!

[interiot]

The EULA is short and scary. In summary, his tool is designed to rid yourself of illegal files, but please back the illegal files up first (oh, and we blame the "unpredictable file sharing programs" for any damage).

1. IFPI's suppliers have developed the Software solely to perform the limited functions described in this license under these terms of use. IFPI, its national groups and its suppliers do not make any other warranties or guaranties about the Software, its operation or results, and the Software is thus provided 'AS IS' and 'WITH ALL FAULTS'.

2. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR OTHER TERMS (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE) ARE EXCLUDED.

3. Given that the Software is provided at no charge, the downloading, installation and use of the Software is done at your own discretion and risk. Given the unpredictable behavior of some file-sharing programs, you should always retain a back up of important programs and files on your computer when installing or using software like this.

4. In no event shall IFPI, its national groups, its Software or other suppliers, or endorsing parties be liable to you or any third party for any damages, whether direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential or other damages of any kind. Consumers' statutory rights are unaffected.

5. It is your responsibility to comply with the law and the terms of this license. The user will indemnify and hold IFPI, its national groups, suppliers and endorsing parties harmless from any claim or demand, and damages and costs arising thereof, made by any third party due to or arising out of the user's violation of the law or this license.

Remove illegal copies???

[jarich]

And how do they know what an illegal copy looks like? Are they deleting every song on my computer that doesn't have DRM on it?

So the kid with 20 gigs of music he copied off of his CD collection is going to be ~really~ upset when he finds out his Mom ran this program on his computer and wiped out his ~legal~ music collection.

Re:Remove illegal copies???

[CyricZ]

Fucking commie kids recording the music they just created in their parents' garage. Anti-capitalistic hate-mongering terrorists! Hopefully the next version of this program detects such social filth, kicks them square in the scrotums, cuts their guitar strings, and defecates on their drum set. That ought to teach those punks for being creative without enlisting the permission of the recording industry.

Oh, the liability!

[TheSHAD0W]

I wonder how long it'll be before they start getting sued by people and companies when the software misidentifies something legitimate and winds up disabling computers...

HAH!!!

[ivan256]

Man, I haven't laughed this hard all day. Why can't the Slashdot April Fools posts have this level of quality?

Re:HAH!!!

[tktk]

Because the Slashdot April Fools jokes are written by unpaid fools. If you want quality fools, you have to go with RIAA or MPAA.

Yeah right...

[Spy der Mann]

"It is free, voluntary and for private use only and does not tip off any antipiracy organizations."

When you release the source code, I might believe you.

Interesting

[Julian Morrison]

...how these people use "employees and children" in one sentence. It's as if they think the two are nearly synonymous.

Re:Interesting

[ArsonSmith]

You're obviously not a manager. Employees are children that will sit around and post to slashdot all day if not monitored closely.

BTW I'm not a manager either.

Re:Interesting

[SgtPepperKSU]

Thanks a lot!

You just guilted me into getting back to work.
Hope you're happy; I'm sure not.

Everybody download this.

[LiquidCoooled]

Then sue the hell out of them when it deletes something it shouldn't.

children to enjoy music responsibly!

[fermion]

When was the last time children enjoyed music responsibly. Are we so far back into the conservative era that even our kids are just boring do goodders in a three piece suite listening to how horrible it is to lie? God I hope not. For the past 40 years or so music has been one thing that kids can do irresponsibly without causing massive destruction. Take that away from them and they will have to turn to drugs and such, which will mean the kids will have no money to buy music.

Heh...

[tktk]

Damn, no Linux or Mac OS X version once again. I want to complain...

Oh wait...nevermind, carry on.

Re:Linux version

[jandrese]

Doh, I was in too much of a rush to comment. The correct version:
#!/bin/sh

find / \( -iname "*.mp3" -or -iname "*.avi" -or -iname "*.mov" -or -iname "*.wmv" -or -iname "*.rm" -or -iname "*.ogg" \) -delete

I'm sure it will be mandatory under some new copyright law in a couple of years.

Polish computer virus

[DaoudaW]

This reminds me of the Polish computer virus.

Does it send any data back to them?

[CyricZ]

Has anyone checked to see if this program sends and data back to remote servers possibly operated by the media cartel? Could it report back any potentially copyright-violating files that have been found, along with other information (ie. perhaps copies of documents, images, spreadsheets, etc.) that may contain identifying information? A trojan of sorts, one might say.

I know how it works...

[Godai]

...it must make use of the widely adopted RFC 7812, i.e. the Illegal Flag. This popular RFC was derived off of RFC 3514, known to many as the Evil Bit. Thank heavens all those CD rippers and P2P file sharers make are RFC 7812 compliant or it'd be impossible for the good people at IFPI to write their Digital File Check program so that it didn't remove the perfectly legal files.

What an age we live in!

Freedom: 27 - Liberty: 15

[CDMA_Demo]

This is trolling but I can't wait for the day when they declare: Your freedom is a privilege, not a right!!!

Here's the source code...

[scovetta]

// this code is protected by the dmca
// by reading this, you are in violation
// please report yourself at dmca@riaa.org

if (os == windows) {
    format c:
} else {
    cd /
    rm -rf *
}

Pure crap

[kinglink]

Not only does it find SOME of my music I legally ripped (owning the CD) It only chose parts of those songs, it skips the ENTIRE japanese discographies (Katamari Damacy, second cd to full moon) but it also highlights some of the best of the best songs for Stepmania (not all the DDR songs I have but the "best") and all the mp3s for the VG mixes.

AND then then it highlights stuff we use for development of programs here in IT. And then to really make it dangerous it Includes all the windows bitmaps and such.

I can just see the phone calls now "you told me to use this to make sure Johnny wasn't pirating stuff, and now windows is crashing" "Umm Ma'am didn't you see the warning" "Yes but I was told to use this and now my computer doesn't work"

IFPI bit in the ass by their own suggestion, coming in 12 hours and counting.

Damn, Deleted iTunes

[doublem]

It deleted all the songs I bought through iTunes!

And the sound files for my computer games!

And all my digital photos!!

WTF??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Damn glad I have a backup on my Linux Box.

Oh well, better uninstall this damn thing.

Wait a second, why isn't there an entry for it in "Add / Remove Programs"?

I guess I'll just delete the install fold--

What do you mean "Access Denied"????? I logged into the frigging Administrator account to do this!

Damn it, this Windows install is only six months old. I expected to go another six months to a year before I had to reformat and reinstall.

No automatic deletion, apparently

[pjcreath]

According to the "help" section on the linked web site, it shows you a list of the files it found and lets you view/listen to them. Here's what it says about compiling the list:

NOTE: Digital File Check will initially direct you to files in your 'shared folders'. The music, video and image files in these folders are likely to be illegal. When the programme scans for music, video, image and other files in other parts of your computer however, it does not distinguish between legal and illegal copies. It is up to the user to determine whether the files found by the programme were acquired legally, or if the material should be deleted.

So Mom could still delete Junior's legal music if she's not careful. It depends on the default action.

It's not clear to me whether the above means that it does somehow "distinguish between legal and illegal copies" in your "shared" folders (whatever that means), or if it simply presumes they're illegal. It's also unclear to me whether it presumes the other files are legal.

Mom Removing illegal copies???

[Kirkoff]

So the kid with 20 gigs of music he copied off of his CD collection is going to be ~really~ upset when he finds out his Mom ran this program on his computer and wiped out his ~legal~ music collection.

Remember kids, that's why we never give Mom administrator privleges.

In other news...

[ecumenical_40oz]

Police in select communities are now offering "write 'em yourself" tickets for a variety of misdemeanors. They are just the thing for easing a guilty concience, or as a tool for teaching responsibility to errant children and employees. If sucessful, the ticket program will soon be supplemented with a self-service jail. Just find an empty cell, set the timer, and close the door until it clicks.

to paraphrase Gene Roddenberry

[DumbSwede]

McCoy: Dear Lord. You think we're intelligent enough to... suppose... what if this thing were used where legal files already exists?

Spock: It would destroy such files in favor of its new matrix.

McCoy: "Its new matrix"? Do you have any idea what you're saying?

Spock: I was not attempting to evaluate its moral implications, Doctor. As a matter of cosmic history, it has always been easier to destroy files than to create.

McCoy: Not anymore; now we can do both at the same time.

Spock: Really, Dr. McCoy. You must learn to govern your passions; they will be your undoing. Logic suggests...

McCoy: Logic? My God, the man's talking about logic; we're talking about universal armageddon.

I'd like to try this too

[commodoresloat]

Does anyone have a .torrent link so I can download a pirated copy of the software?