Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware)

The BBC published an article on Thursday 3 November, Sony slated over anti-piracy CD, detailing Sony's use of "rootkit" software to install a copy-protection program deep in the Windows OS.  An article in Information Week urges employers to protect themselves from this Sony software, claiming the uninstall can crash Windows and cause security issues.

Suddenly I'm really grateful for my non-Intel Apple PowerBook because this behaviour worries me.  I haven't seen anyone publish a list of which CDs are affected, Sony were using this technology for eight months.  In the BBC article, Sony say they have "moved away" from this technology.

Update 10th November.

Sony sued over copy-protected CDs.

Sony BMG is facing three lawsuits over its controversial anti-piracy software.  Revealed in late October by Windows expert Mark Russinovich, the software copy protection system hides using virus-like techniques.  One class-action lawsuit has already been filed in California and another is expected in New York.  Digital rights group, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), is also gathering information from users to see if a case can be brought.

The article contains a partial list of affected CDs.