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Mac DRM code surfaces on Sony BMG CD

updated 09:10 am EST, Fri November 11, 2005

Mac Sony DRM code

Sony BMG's controversial DRM code may have , according to a published report. Mac users report that at least one CD distributed by the major label includes a Mac OS X application that purportedly installs a pair of extensions to the operating system's microkernel. Imogen Heap's 'Speak for Yourself' CD is said to contain an extra disc partition for "enhanced content." The CD ships on the RCA label, part of of Sony BMG. On the disc is Start.app, a Mac application that sits alongside the usual Windows files. Start.app presents the user with a licence agreement and a dialog to enter the administrator's username and password. Two kernel extension are copied over: PhoenixNub1.kext and PhoenixNub12.kext.

by MacNN Staff

(27)

TAGS :

industry, digital music/video

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ogun
Junior Member

Joined: Sep 2001

0

11/11, 09:32am | report spam | close Reply |
kexts

Don't blindly install kexts. In fact, don't install kexts at all unless you know what you're doing.

turtle777
Clinically Insane

Joined: Jun 2001

0

11/11, 09:42am | report spam | close Reply |
Whoever is dumb enough...

...to enter his password can not be helped.

-t

Glasspusher
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2000

0

11/11, 09:43am | report spam | close Reply |
Sony is a virus!

Hey, at least AAC doesn't install kernel extensions.

Geordiekeith
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2003

0

11/11, 09:47am | report spam | close Reply |
Sony CDs

Does anyone know of a list in the net of Sony "protected" CDs. I want to make sure I don't buy any of them.

Glasspusher
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2000

0

11/11, 09:49am | report spam | close Reply |
weak link

The user is always the weak link in any security situation. Mac users aren't much different than windows users in this regard. If a CD says to install stuff for added features, they're going to trust it. Heck, many peripherals ask you to install a .kext! The bad news is that bad guys might use this as a way to hide their bad stuff...

mouseketter
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2004

0

11/11, 09:49am | report spam | close Reply |
So why not...

So why not just buy it off iTunes. It is available. And cheeper too at $9.99.

I am a bit confused why record companies put all this anti-copying stuff on CD's when all it does is potentially disable a $1,000 computer and open them up to lawsuits. I would be looking for a lawyer if I put a CD in a computer only to discover it disrupted the operating system to the point that the CDROM drive no longer worked.

So the moral of the story kids is do not buy a CD just buy the music off iTunes.

hayesk
Professional Poster

Joined: Sep 1999

0

11/11, 10:02am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: weak link

Well, in this case, the user is the weak link. But software bugs is part of it too.

Regardless, this is easy to fix - even for those dumb enough to install the DRM. Just remove two files and restart.

scottrussell
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2001

0

11/11, 10:14am | report spam | close Reply |
sub-perfect music quality

CD's are still popular because...

(1) only about 30% of US citizens have broadband internet connections that make the iTunes music store attractive

(2) audio quality is compromised when the files are compressed for download. Purists will stick with CD's (or lossless compression downloads) until Apple starts to sell higher quality audio files. With that said, Sony is certainly making life hard for the purists.

Ikon
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: May 2005

0

11/11, 10:31am | report spam | close Reply |
Sony

can keep their cd's, I haven't bought them nor will I.

ronjamin
Baninated

Joined: May 2002

0

11/11, 10:32am | report spam | close Reply |
Fascist b*******

What happened to Fair Use? This prevents Fair Use. These music companies continue to do things that WILL cause pirates to target them. As usual, they punish millions of legitimate users to try to stop the minutiae of pirates.

I want to have a tangible product (i.e. a CD) which I can import into my iPod, or burn a track or two onto a custom CD. These pricks are just so greedy and stupid that they cannot see that they are just pissing everyone off.

The bottom line is that pirates will continue to subvert these measures till the end of time unless the prices are adjusted accordingly.

They have the marketing model right with DVD�s. You can go to Wal-Mart and purchase many movies for under $9.00. Movies cost much more to produce than a music CD. Yet I am still seeing music CD�s selling over $15, even over $20. This is preposterous. What is wrong with these people? Are they dumb?

beeble
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2004

0

11/11, 10:34am | report spam | close Reply |
A list

Until a list exists telling me what Sony CD's are safe and which ones aren't, I'm simply not buying any of their stuff. I wouldn't like to be a Sony artist right now. The company is working overtime to compromise any trust it had in the market place and their taking all their artists down with the ship, not just the ones who agree to the DRM.

Mind you, based on the description of extra partitions, this particular CD doesn't qualify to display the CD Digital Audio logo. If they have that on the cover you could take it back to the store and get your money back because it isn't what they said it would be. It isn't Red Book compliant. Actually, it would be a slam dunk case for false advertising.

Chopper3
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 1999

0

11/11, 10:45am | report spam | close Reply |
Glasspusher, you're righ

...that users are the weak link but at least mac users get asked before they install potentially dangerous code and many mac users may not have admin rights/passwords anyway.

LouZer
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2000

0

11/11, 10:46am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: A List

Mind you, based on the description of extra partitions, this particular CD doesn't qualify to display the CD Digital Audio logo. If they have that on the cover you could take it back to the store and get your money back because it isn't what they said it would be. It isn't Red Book compliant. Actually, it would be a slam dunk case for false advertising.

To the best of my knowledge, they don't display the logo. They also specifically are labelled with something like "Contents on this disk are protected ....."

Warrenpeace
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2001

0

11/11, 10:53am | report spam | close Reply |
like was said already....

....more reason to use the iTunes music store.

LouZer
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Nov 2000

0

11/11, 10:54am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: kexts and aac

Don't blindly install kexts. In fact, don't install kexts at all unless you know what you're doing.

What kind of advice is that? When does anyone know they're installing kexts? You run any installer, nothing in it tells you its installing a kext vs. just some application files somewhere.

Hey, at least AAC doesn't install kernel extensions.

Well, actually, AAC isn't a DRM, so it doesn't actually apply, now does it. As for iTunes and Fairplay, Apple DOES install kexts (and services on your Windows PC) for the iPod, which is really irritating if you don't have one (and, by the way, its really hard to get rid of the stupid thing under windows, because it seems to always return). Of course, Apple always does their best to act like a virus on windows (you ever install quicktime? Installs some crappy system tray icon, plus a startup item for who knows what. I mean, they're as bad as REAL!), and who knows what software they're installing with iTunes and such for Fairplay DRM protections (its just easier for them to do it, since they own the OS, but it doesn't mean they're clean like the driven snow).

What happened to Fair Use? This prevents Fair Use. These music companies continue to do things that WILL cause pirates to target them. As usual, they punish millions of legitimate users to try to stop the minutiae of pirates.

God, where the h*** have you been. h***, the iTMS prevents Fair Use. Any DRM prevents Fair Use. Are you just realizing this?

But, then again, what fair use are they preventing. You need to clean up your arguments, give examples of the fair use rights that are being violated. I hate the over-the-top "This violates x**" without explaining what part is violating it. You know, its like trying to get a gun-nut to explain to you why a waiting period to buy a gun is a violation of the second amendment. Then again, there's a bunch of people who complain about the music industry suing music sharers, like they don't have a legal right to do so.

Deal
Mac Enthusiast

Joined: Apr 2001

0

11/11, 11:08am | report spam | close Reply |
Any Bets?

How many minutes will it take somebody to hack?

My money's on 4 minutes but boxes for 1 through 3 and 5 through 12 are still available.

itguy05
Forum Regular

Joined: Apr 2005

0

11/11, 11:19am | report spam | close Reply |
What happens

What happens if you don't install the KEXT's? You should then be able to rip just like any other CD. Or is the TOC damaged like the other copy protected CD's?

hayesk
Professional Poster

Joined: Sep 1999

0

11/11, 11:45am | report spam | close Reply |
Re: kexts and aac

"God, where the h*** have you been. h***, the iTMS prevents Fair Use. Any DRM prevents Fair Use. Are you just realizing this? "

Uhm... no, the iTMS does not prevent Fair Use at all. Fair Use is the ability to backup the product in its originally purchased form, and the ability to transfer the music to another medium. iTMS does not prevent this. I can back up my purchased iTunes files. I can transfer them to a CD or convert them to MP3, or whatever format I like.

With a CD you are purchasing an uncompressed 16-bit, 44.1kHz stereo audio track - the manuafacturers are try to prevent you from backing it up at that quality, or making a copy from that source to another medium. The iTMS does not prevent that.

I can see why people are upset over DRM on CDs - I am too. But this scenario is just laughable, (please type your admin password so we can stop you from using our product fairly), and is also easily remedied if you are fooled into installing it.

Geez, I'll buy a Sony CD - actually, we all should. Then they'll think this is an effective DRM and won't try to improve/change it.

LordJohnWhorfin
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2002

0

11/11, 12:13pm | report spam | close Reply |
The EFF has a list

Although it's incomplete.
By the way, there already is a class action lawsuit against Sony in California:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/calif_ny_lawsui.html

The EFF's list is at:
http://www.eff.org/deeplinks/archives/004144.php

Trey Anastasio, Shine (Columbia)
Celine Dion, On ne Change Pas (Epic)
Neil Diamond, 12 Songs (Columbia)
Our Lady Peace, Healthy in Paranoid Times (Columbia)
Chris Botti, To Love Again (Columbia)
Van Zant, Get Right with the Man (Columbia)
Switchfoot, Nothing is Sound (Columbia)
The Coral, The Invisible Invasion (Columbia)
Acceptance, Phantoms (Columbia)
Susie Suh, Susie Suh (Epic)
Amerie, Touch (Columbia)
Life of Agony, Broken Valley (Epic)
Horace Silver Quintet, Silver's Blue (Epic Legacy)
Gerry Mulligan, Jeru (Columbia Legacy)
Dexter Gordon, Manhattan Symphonie (Columbia Legacy)
The Bad Plus, Suspicious Activity (Columbia)
The Dead 60s, The Dead 60s (Epic)
Dion, The Essential Dion (Columbia Legacy)
Natasha Bedingfield, Unwritten (Epic)
Ricky Martin, Life (Columbia) (labeled as XCP, but, oddly, our disc had no protection)

Several other Sony-BMG CDs are protected with a different copy-protection technology, sourced from SunnComm, including:

My Morning Jacket, Z
Santana, All That I Am
Sarah McLachlan, Bloom Remix Album

Todd Madson
Mac Elite

Joined: Apr 2000

0

11/11, 12:25pm | report spam | close Reply |
Humm...

Imogen Heap? I realize that I'm probably not in the
target demographic the label is targeting the artist
to but I've never heard of this artist nor do I have
an interest in buying crapware riddled product.

eizzumdm
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2002

0

11/11, 12:57pm | report spam | close Reply |
Spyware

One of the scare tactics for discouraging people from illegally downloaded music is that there is a slight chance that an illegally distributed file might be infected with a virus or be a trojan horse that installs adware or spyware, or opens up a security hole on a user's computer that a malicious hacker might exploit.

Now it seems that there is an even better chance that a compact disc that one buys in the store will be a spyware/security hole trojan.

I doubt that I will be buying any physical media that has a Sony BMG or RCA logo on it anytime soon.

kinglou
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Sep 2002

0

11/11, 02:01pm | report spam | close Reply |
It even helps beat WoW!

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=05/11/03/187215&tid=158&tid=206

"First, news of Warden -a bit of code from Blizzard's WoW to trounce game cheats. Then, a Sony rootkit to make your computer safe for music. Now, news that you can use the Sony rootkit to make your game cheats safe from the Warden."

Way to go Sony. A nice Short cut for RootKit hacks and cheaters

http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/internet/11/10/sony.hack.reut/index.html

"AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuters) -- A computer security firm said Thursday it had discovered the first virus that uses music publisher Sony BMG's controversial CD copy-protection software to hide on PCs and wreak havoc."

ender
Junior Member

Joined: Mar 1999

0

11/11, 02:31pm | report spam | close Reply |
Moot Point

To me, it is all a moot point anyway. I have not bought more than 5 -6 CDs in the last five years because most of today's music isn't worth buying. (I've never downloaded illegally either for the same reason!) So I'll stick with my collection of 80's & 90's bought CDs that are safe from any DRM and ripped into iTunes at full quality using Apple's lossless codec (which I can then re-encode to whatever quality I want for copying to my iPod). In the rare event that there is a song I like I'll get it from iTMS. I can't remember the last time more than one or two songs on a newer CD were worth purchasing.

It's sad really. I love music, but none of the [big] labels seem to be interested in signing real musicians.

piracy
Mac Elite

Joined: Mar 2001

0

11/11, 02:59pm | report spam | close Reply |
And now, this is all moot

Sony BMG pulls CD software
Fri Nov 11, 2005 6:31 PM GMT

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Music publisher Sony BMG said on Friday it would stop making CDs that use a controversial technology to protect its music against illegal copying.

http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2005-11-11T183106Z_01_MOL166114_RTRIDST_0_TECH-SONY-COPYPROTECTION-DC.XML&archived=False

ender
Junior Member

Joined: Mar 1999

0

11/11, 06:01pm | report spam | close Reply |
If only...

If only the record companies would take the millions they are probably spending on trying to add DRM to 20+ year old technology, and instead focus on moving their industry into the 21st century. Like encouraging the use of online music stores (instead of trying to jack up the prices to rape the still-new online market) or supporting new standards like audio DVD (or whatever it is) that probably have DRM capabilities built in.

Just think, they could instantly add millions to their profits if they didn't waste money on technology which thus far has proven completely impotent in it's intended goal of stopping CD piracy.

sixcolors
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Oct 2001

0

11/11, 06:22pm | report spam | close Reply |
Sony Eat My a**

Basically I will never buy any Sony CD again. EVER! I would rather pirate it off the internet [drm free] than give those b******* one cent!

Oh and another thing: GO TO h*** SONY!

lazarus001
Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Aug 2005

0

11/12, 12:42am | report spam | close Reply |
Down with Sony

They used to be a halfway decent company. But it's come more and more apparent that they are the bottom of the barrel. Does anyone know if they still refuse to let women work in their local manufactures?

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Mac DRM code surfaces on Sony BMG CD

updated 09:10 am EST, Fri November 11, 2005

Mac Sony DRM code

kexts

Whoever is dumb enough...

Sony is a virus!

Sony CDs

weak link

So why not...

Re: weak link

sub-perfect music quality

Sony

Fascist b*******

A list

Glasspusher, you're righ

Re: A List

like was said already....

Re: kexts and aac

Any Bets?

What happens

Re: kexts and aac

The EFF has a list

Humm...

Spyware

It even helps beat WoW!

Moot Point

And now, this is all moot

If only...

Sony Eat My a**

Down with Sony

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Mac DRM code surfaces on Sony BMG CD

updated 09:10 am EST, Fri November 11, 2005

Mac Sony DRM code

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Re: A List

like was said already....

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Re: kexts and aac

The EFF has a list

Humm...

Spyware

It even helps beat WoW!

Moot Point

And now, this is all moot

If only...

Sony Eat My a**

Down with Sony

Login Here

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Connect tools:

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10 Most Read

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