I was reading a very interesting article today on how Sony was using rootkits on its users. A rootkit typically hides logins, processes, files, and logs and may include software to intercept data from terminals, network connections, and the keyboard. In many sources, rootkits are counted as trojan horses.*
In a great leap of genius, Sony had decided that in order to protect its CDs from its consumers, it would install one such rootkit on computers unbeknownst to the users. These kits would prevent anyone from using the CD except through additional software mandated by Sony. Covertly installing a root kit is something that can be equated to the same ethical behaviour as installing a computer virus. Removing the unwanted Sony infection from the computer would disable the CD/DVD-ROM drive from being usable. Great.
And its in that respect that record companies simply don’t get it. First of all, they’re completely punishing their fans for purchasing their product. After all, how do these CD protections benefit the consumer in any way? The only thing that results is more nuissance for that consumer – thanks to Sony’s protection, they aren’t able to put the music they bought on an MP3 player for instance. They aren’t able to put the MP3s on their computer so that they can listen it from there.
Do they not realise that people use their computers for music these days? Nearly every student I know has some kind of MP3 jukebox set on their machines, where they shift songs between their entire music collection. The companies have been operating on a basis that their products should not be compatible with computers at all, going so far as deceivingly installing these virus-like programs. They think that that will reduce piracy. Fact is: it hasn’t, nor will it ever.
As the old addage goes: where there’s a will, there’s a way. And I’ve yet to see a CD where its contents could not be ripped. So this does not curb piracy in any way – meanwhile, it makes the CDs less appealing to the fans. Why spend $20 on a product that only half-works? A product that behaves like a computer worm and installs a rootkit?
Piracy doesn’t exist because people can do with their CDs as they see fit. It exists because people are getting fooked around by the record industries left, right, and center. Infecting PCs with worms, preventing people to listen to music they legitimately purchased, are hardly steps forward to make the CD format more appealing.
The record labels simply do not get it.
*Definition from Wikipedia