So Sony has been put on the hot seat as of late because they were found to be deceptively installing malicious software on user’s computer. Basically, when a new Sony-BMG audio CD is inserted into your computer, software is automatically installed which prevents you from copying the CD and sharing it with the world. Not that unreasonable, and shouldn’t be too much of a problem (Apple iTunes is a good example). Except in this case the software that gets installed takes on characteristics of a malicious rootkit virus. And if you want to hear the music on your computer, there’s no way for you to say you don’t want the software installed. And there’s no easy way for you to remove it once installed.

This is no joke, businesses are considering this to be a very serious security threat, and even the Bush Administration gave them a stern talking to. There’s also at least 3 class action lawsuits being filed against Sony for this. Given these developments, I wouldn’t be surprised if businesses started to enforce a blanket “Do Not Bring Any Music CD to Work” policy, especially if your business fits the profile of certain 3 letter government agencies. Not surprisingly, viruses are now starting to appear which takes advantage of this breach in security caused by Sony, and Microsoft recently responded by updating their own anti-spyware software to detect and remove Sony’s rootkit.

Their hardware is superb, but when it comes to digital media, Sony just doesn’t get it. Case in point, Sony’s portable “MP3 players” could not actually play MP3s until about a year ago. Now their newest Walkmans (which can play MP3s) are being touted as the next iPod killer. Here’s a hint, if you have to say your new widget is the next “whatever killer”, it probably isn’t. While highly unlikely, there’s now rumors swirling around that the Playstation 3 will contain technology which would prevent a game disc from being played on more than one PS3 console. Say goodbye to rentals, used sales, or even lending the disc to a friend to try. And don’t think this would be just limited to video games, these kind of restrictions may eventually creep into the next generation DVDs and music CDs.

Sigh, this is kind of stuff that happens when you start treating your customers like criminals. I try to get all my CDs and DVDs legally, since my tiny purchase is kind of like a vote of confidence that tells whoever produced the CD or DVD that I just bought that they should continue their efforts of producing good stuff. This is especially true for musicians, since a significant portion of their income comes from CD sales. But it is truly a sad state of affairs when it is actually safer to download a music album illegally than it is to buy a legal copy from a store.