The new Sony DRM (digitial rights management) CDs Sony Rootkit – Worst.DRM.Ever – Gizmodo use some fancy technology (rootkits) to hide the software so that you can’t remove it. However, this leaves a huge hole for malware (bad software like spyware) to also use because it also subverts the operating system.

Copy protection (DRM) from Macrovision on just make the user experience worse. I wish these media companies would find a better business model.

Followup: After all the criticism, Sony has released a patch that will remove the rootkit software (Sony to patch copy-protected CD). However, they aren’t going to remove the DRM from the CDs and that is the proper step to take.

More followup: a great description of the current Sony patch and lack of disclosure on Sony’s part. They seem to be digging themselves a bigger hole and perhaps taking down the whole CD industry. I know that I will be very careful to examine the package of an CD I plan to buy for any mention of “enhanced” software that may be included.

Even more followup: Sony has given into public pressure and is doing a recall of all the offending CDs. Moreover, there are about 3 class actions suits against Sony. I guess that scores a win for us consumers against a big corporation.