[Sussex] Sony violates LGPL

[Steve Dobson]

On Fri, Nov 18, 2005 at 10:06:31PM -0000, Andrew Guard wrote:
> 
> > Andrew
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 18, 2005 at 01:49:50PM -0000, Andrew Guard wrote:
> >> > For any not reading the Register, and watching the arguments over
> >> Sony's
> >> > DRM 'rootkit': http://hack.fi/~muzzy/sony-drm/
> >>
> >> OK it not Sony to blame it
> >>
> >> First 4 Internet Ltd
> >
> > What do you mean Sony is not to blame?  Of course they are to
> > blame - F4I didn't go to Sony, point a gun and say: install
> > our DRM software or else.  At some point some exec in Sony
> > made the decision to put DRM software onto the CDs they produced.
> > So they subcontracted that work to a third party - so what?
> > If they made the decision to put the code on then *they* have
> > the responsibility to make sure that it is fit for the purpose.
> >
> >   "You can delegate authority but you can't delegate
> >   responsibility."
> >
> > Sony could sue F4I (because it was, presumably, propriety code
> > and Sony didn't get source) if they feel that F4I didn't provide
> > software fit for the purpose.  But the people who bought the CDs
> > should sue Sony.
> >
> 
> Let get one thing correct here.  Sony BMG did not ask First 4 Internet Ltd
> to developed this software.  F4I owns the rights to software, F4I went out
> to sell there software.  As such any resposiabilty which exists to publish
> any source code is not with Sony BMG but with F4I.
> To correct title for this software is not DRM but XCP (R of F4I).

Absolutely.  I never meant to suggest otherwise.

As far as I am concerned any breach of the (L)GPL is not the big
issue.  To me the reason those that bought the CD have a right to
sue Sony is because they installed software that comprised the
security of their computers.  

From what I've read the software written by F4I hides any file or
registry entry that begins with the string "$sys$".  How any software
developers can *not* think that such a feature is bound to be
exploited by malware writers beggars belief.  That is the scandal.

> http://www.first4internet.co.uk/
> http://www.xcp-aurora.com/
> http://www.xcp-aurora.com/press_related.aspx
> 
> Also note no UK CD's have this system on there disk only USA ones.

Then why are the Italian's suing Sony?  This software must have
been available in Italy.

Steve
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