It’s been a bad couple of weeks for Megacorp Sony/BMG. Since IT expert Mark Russinovich slated the c opy protection system used by Sony to stop it’s CD’s from being copied and digitally distributed. The copy protection system installed a few hidden files on the users system that made it extremely difficult to properly de-install. Mr Russinovich felt that this was no better than common virus writing techniques and gave the Megacorp a piece of his mind. Since then, there’s been a class action filed on behalf of customers affected by the installer, presumably who are suffering ‘terrible anguish’ (some laywers are probably laughing all the way to the bank). As if that weren’t enough, they now feel it’s nesescary to withdraw the XCD copy protected discs – this could number several million CD’s although Sony were’nt prepared to name the number. Mind you, we heard that Celine Dion was one of the affected artists, so it’s not all bad news (heh!). This has got to be one of the worst bungles for some time, especially as we’re in the run up to Christmas, CD’s should be flying out not in. Mind you, we should put this in perspective. BMG owns several successful businesses: Random House, TV group RTL, Gruner + Jahr magazines plus it’s 50% stake in music company Sony BMG make it the worlds fourth largest media group. Last year, pre-tax profits at the company were up 6% in the first nine months.

• www.sonymusic.com

< More From: SONY BMG

• Sony Music Accused of Virus Tactics For DRM System 03-Nov-05

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