Sony BMG recalls copy-protected CDs

**Jared Moya** · November 16th, 2005, 07:53 AM

"We share the concerns of consumers regarding discs with XCP content-protected software, and, for this reason, we are instituting a consumer exchange programme and removing all unsold CDs with this software from retail outlets," Sony BMG said in an statement. &nbsp

;The XCP software used by Sony BMG, which was developed by British software developers First4Internet, leaves the back door open for malicious online hackers. Sony BMG, in a separate statement, also announced it would distribute a program to remove the software from a PC where it jeopardizes security. "

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers. Details of this (recall) program will be announced shortly," Sony BMG said. The withdrawal is set to affect millions of compact discs from artists such as Celine Dion and Sarah McLachlan but Sony did not give exact figures or the names of the artists affected.

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**Potato** · November 16th, 2005, 07:55 AM

"We share the concerns of consumers regarding discs with XCP content-protected software

Why didn't they think of that BEFORE?

**DigitalJunkie** · November 16th, 2005, 08:03 AM

Greed!

......

**VAMPYRE BLADE** · November 16th, 2005, 08:33 AM

you cant trust them, maybe the recall is just because they have made something new that cant be detected.

**DigitalJunkie** · November 16th, 2005, 08:50 AM

LOL

They are just trying to do some damage controls. If more people learned what DRMs can do, no one would buy any CD anymore!

**Digital Bliss** · November 16th, 2005, 10:20 AM

meh what a bunch of morons piss of the people that are making your money

**Jared Moya** · November 16th, 2005, 01:50 PM

Whats even funnier is that apparently the patch used to remove the DRM software apparently widens the back door it orginally created, thus allowing hackers even greater access to unsuspecting PC users. Thats what they get for buying then new Celine Dion I guess.

Hope their lawyers are getting warmed up because their gonna have one hell of a class-action suit on their hands as sonn as someone comes forward with a damaged HD.

**Krell** · November 16th, 2005, 05:42 PM

November 16, 2005

To Our Valued Customers:

You may be aware of the recent attention given to the XCP content protection software included on some SONY BMG CDs (click here for list of titles). This software was provided to us by a third-party vendor, First4Internet. Discussion has centered on security concerns raised about the use of CDs containing this software.

We share the concerns of consumers regarding these discs, and we are instituting a program that will allow consumers to exchange any CD with XCP software for the same CD without copy protection. We also have asked our retail partners to remove all unsold CDs with XCP software from their store shelves and inventory. We will make further details of this program available shortly.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause our customers and we are committed to making this situation right. It is important to note that the issues regarding these discs exist only when they are played on computers, not on conventional, non-computer-based CD and/or DVD players.

Our new initiatives follow the measures we have already taken, including last week’s voluntary suspension of the manufacture of CDs with the XCP software. In addition, to address security concerns, we provided to major software and anti-virus companies a software update, which also may be downloaded at
http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/updates.html.

We will shortly provide a simplified and secure procedure to uninstall the XCP software if it resides on your computer.

Ultimately, the experience of consumers is our primary concern, and our goal is to help bring our artists’ music to as broad an audience as possible. Going forward, we will continue to identify new ways to meet demands for flexibility in how you and other consumers listen to music.

Please click here for an FAQ on this topic.

http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/

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