EFF Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Sony BMG
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has filed a class action lawsuit against Sony, demanding that the company fix the damage done to millions of computers by two pieces of Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) software included in its audio CDs.
While we have the music giant to thank for teaching everyone what a rootkit is with its XCP software and its entirely inappropriate response to the ensuing scandal, there are a number of other Sony CDs that carry another DRM software which causes similar problems.
The MediaMax software installed on over 20 million CDs has different, but similarly troubling problems. It installs files on the users’ computers even if they click “no” on the EULA, and it does not include a way to fully uninstall the program. The software transmits data about users to SunnComm through an Internet connection whenever purchasers listen to CDs, allowing the company to track listening habits — even though the EULA states that the software will not be used to collect personal information and SunnComm’s website says “no information is ever collected about you or your computer.”
via netzpolitik.org