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Sony Rootkit Allegedly Contains LGPL Software
Deaths Hand writes "According to this Dutch article the Sony DRM software (or rootkit, if you may prefer) contains code from the LAME MP3 encoder project, which is licensed under the LGPL. However, the source code has not also been distrbuted, hence breaching the license. Here is an english translation of the page." So apparently Sony violates your privacy to create a backdoor onto your machine using code that violates an Open Source license. This story just keeps getting stranger.
Someone should send a takedown notice to the Sony corporation.
There's even more space dust on the book!
There are no loopholes. It's either legal or it's not.
If they'd gone Open Source from the start with their rootkit, the community could have contributed bug fixes and improvements. Even their competitors could have gotten involved, resulting in a truely powerful bug-free rootkit for use by everyone.
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
I knew something was up when I saw that Aibo perched at my keyboard when I woke up this morning.
Next thing you know, they'll be after our precious bodily fluids.
I am sure there is a "In soviet Russia" joke in there somwhere!
I'm just here to regulate Funkyness
Next thing you know they'll buy SCO.
"Open the pod by doors, Hal" > "I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave" sudo "Open the pod bay doors, Hal" > alright
"We had to destroy the IP rights to protect them."
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
- Sony rootkit eats kittens?
- Sony rootkit throws momma from the train?
- Sony rootkit spawns Darth Vader?
- Sony rootkit deflates tires of soccer moms?
- Sony rootkit steals cookies from girl scouts?
- Sony rootkit cheats at final exams?
- Sony rootkit pours hot grits down Natalie Portman's pants?
Baz
[1] in some lawyers opinion.... see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAME for info.
CD: The Bad Plus, Suspicious Activity: The empire strikes backwards
This is all so ridiculous. It's not like Sony even asks the user if they want this crap installed. Where would they even put the copyright notice? Of all the underhanded nonsense...
Laws do not persuade just because they threaten. --Seneca
well in this case it's rather more like
1. Install rootkit that contains licensed code without telling users
2. ????
3. Lawsuit!
80 CC D8 AF AE D3 AB 54 B7 2E CE 67 C7
http://bash.org/?577451
....and don't mention the countless fuzzy bunnies that died in the animal testing phase of Barbara Streisand's latest release.
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Too bad. I've certainly wanted to be able to execute a lot of the music that's published today.
One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
$sys$README ?
Maybe it was planned to upload the source later through their backdoor.
I know it causes me significant pain ...
I talk about stuff.
Yes, but what about the DRM issue on these CDs?
No, the grandparent is right: Sony executives have been seen sneaking out of the houses of LAME developers wearing masks and carrying bags with "source code" written on them.
USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
A system of government in which the people are ruled by a deficiency?
I think you mean "hypocrisy".
"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something" - Plato
Second of all, am I the only one who finds it ironic that a DRM program designed to protect someone's copyrighted information is itself infringing on someone's copyright?
Well I suspect that if you *were* the only one who felt that way, this story wouldn't be on the front page of Slashdot. So no, you're probably not the only one.
Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
ender-
Nothing to see here
...not its CDs. They have done more to damage their image and profits with this story than they would have saved by installing its spyware.
Probably also increased the amount of their material being pirated. Since those wanting to listen to those artists are likely to prefer a "clean" copy.
It's like an infinite loop of hypocrisy: My god, it's full of piracy!
Slashdot - where whining about luck is the new way to make the world you want.
The underpants gnomes look upon you with disgust.
let's not forget that the rootkit would have to distribute the source code with it!
...hmmmm Nah.
Hmmm I wonder...
$sys$rootkit.cpp
$sys$rootkit.h
$sys$drm.cpp
$sys$drm.h
$sys$lgpl.txt
&sys&/rootkit/sources
"I told them I wanted my red stapler back."
the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Under the LGPL, they must offer us the source code. This protects our ability to rebuild the DRM rootkit for different versions of the LAME library -- so that it can detect newer LAME libraries, or our personal modified copies of the LAME library, and disable those as well.
So i think i'm headed out to the store to buy a couple cd's that contain this XPC rootkit crap, and hope I can get some sweet class action cash. Not that i'd ever be caught dead listening to the music, but maybe i could give them to a friend, and have them sue me for ruining their computer and valuable ($100,000,000) work. Then i can sue Sony because their cd cost me $100,000,000......fu#ck, someone just give me money.
You call it excessive, I call it ambitious.