Sony Settles With FTC Over Rootkits

The FTC has struck a deal with Sony punishing Sony for the rootkits it included on millions of CDs in 2005. The deal is exactly like the Texas and California settlements — $150 a rootkit. The settlement isn't final yet. There will be a 30-day public consultation. American citizens who read Slashdot might want to put in their two cents. Comments will be accepted through March 1 at: FTC, Office of the Secretary, Room H-135, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580 (snail mail only). Here is the FTC page announcing the settlement.

Comments

Save your reciept ?

[Joebert]

Under the settlement, Sony BMG must allow consumers to exchange affected CDs bought before 31 December 2006, and reimburse them up to $150 (£76) to repair damage to their computers.

I understand why stores require reciepts to return stuff, but when it comes to CDs which are non-returnable once that plastic wrap is taken off, who the hell bothers to save the reciept ?
How are they going to know when the CD was purchased ?

So if I'm reading the settlement site correctly...

[Telephone Sanitizer]

Without a receipt for repair services the most that you can qualify for is $25 dollars, at their discretion.

If you removed the unlawful hack yourself, no matter how much pain and suffering it caused, there is every probability that they will compensate you exactly nothing.

(I mean nothing but the opportunity to exchange your defective CD for a slightly less defective one or a DRM-laden download.)

I think the kicker is that this is one of those fancy federal consent-decrees -- like the one that was used to "break" the Microsoft monopoly way back when. They agree not to be such meanies and in exchange, they receive total immunity from prosecution on any related federal charges and all state laws that conflict with the federal decision are automatically superseded.

I'm so glad that the feds are looking out for me. With punishment like that, Sony surely KNOWS they've been naughty. It's certain that they won't do anything like THAT again.

Claim form help?

[Kredal]

The claim form you need to fill out for recompensation is at this link.

One of the questions is as follows:

7. Briefly describe the type of harm / damage / problem you experienced and the steps that you
took in response:

What kinds of problems, other than the pain of removing it, did people have? Was any actual damage done? Did anyone's computer get taken over? I'm just curious what a valid response would be to this, for when I fill out the form.

I Chooose a Better Punishment

[N8F8]

I'll never buy something from Sony again until they change their anti-consumer practices.

Re:how does this multiply out?

[theckhd]

Is that $150 per cd "sold through" or $150 per customer who is aware of the lawsuit and actually files to get their cheque?

It's not even that simple, FTFA:

As part of the settlement, Sony BMG will allow consumers to exchange CDs containing the concealed software purchased before December 31, 2006 for new CDs that are not content-protected, and will be required to reimburse consumers up to $150 to repair damage that resulted directly from consumers' attempts to remove the software installed without their consent. Sony BMG is required to publish notices on its Web site describing the exchange and repair reimbursement programs.

It's a reimbursement for costs incurred while trying to repair the damage done. I presume this means you would need a receipt from a vendor or service company that removed the rootkit for you. I doubt Sony will award the full $150 to you if you removed it yourself.