Electronic Frontier Foundation sues Sony over CD technology
{{date|November 22, 2005}}

The [[California]]-based {{w|non-profit organization}} {{w|Electronic Frontier Foundation}}, as well as the Attorney General of [[Texas]], has filed a law suit against [[Sony|Sony Computer Entertainment of America]] for their controversial use of anti-piracy software.

The EFF claims that the {{w|digital rights management}} software on the CDs BMG Music (a subsidiary of Sony) produces acts as {{w|spyware}}, which the EFF claims is against Texas law. The program, known as ''XCP'', is said to install software on one's system when they insert the CD into their computer for purposes such as adding to {{w|iTunes}} music software.

Sony currently rejects the idea of XCP technology being considered as spyware, however they have agreed to replace CDs with the software and to temporarily discontinue the installation of it on their CDs.

Among the controversy that Sony's moves to counter piracy have raised is the accusation that their software leaves a machine more vulnerable to attacks across the Internet.  A {{w|Trojan horse (computing)|trojan horse}} has already been found in the wild that utilizes one of the anti-piracy software's functions.

== Related News ==

*{{wikinews|title=Sony to suspend use of controversial CD software|date=November 13, 2005}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Sony faces class action lawsuits for DRM
|date=November 11, 2005}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=1334623
|title=Sony BMG Sued Under Anti-Spyware Laws
|author=Liz Austin, [[Associated Press]]
|pub=ABC News
|date=November 21, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10144131/
|title=Texas sues Sony BMG over CDs
|author=Paul Taylor, {{w|Financial Times}}
|pub=MSNBC
|date=November 21, 2005}}
*{{source|url=http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2005-11-21T232146Z_01_HAR163297_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-SONY-TEXAS-DC.XML
|title=Texas sues Sony BMG for spyware violations
|author=Matt Daily
|pub=Reuters
|date=November 21, 2005}}

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{{archive}}
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:Computing]]
[[Category:Culture and entertainment]]
[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Texas]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Sony]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Electronic Frontier Foundation]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
The California-based Electronic Frontier Foundation, as well as the Attorney General of Texas, has filed a law suit against Sony Computer Entertainment of America for their controversial use of anti-piracy software.

The EFF claims that the spyware, which the EFF claims is against Texas law. The program, known as XCP, is said to install software on one's system when they insert the CD into their computer for purposes such as adding to  music software.

Sony currently rejects the idea of XCP technology being considered as spyware, however they have agreed to replace CDs with the software and to temporarily discontinue the installation of it on their CDs.

Among the controversy that Sony's moves to counter piracy have raised is the accusation that their software leaves a machine more vulnerable to attacks across the Internet.  A trojan horse has already been found in the wild that utilizes one of the anti-piracy software's functions.
Internet Computing Culture and entertainment California Texas North America Sony United States Science and technology Electronic Frontier Foundation Crime and law