To many of us, the use of this type of malicious software is far from breaking news but the decision that Sony should pay compensation to all those affected should have given consumers cause for concern over Sony’s original action. Any other company found responsible for this kind of thing would expect to face hefty fines and possible further action. Sony, though, were ordered to replace the affected disks, provide software to remove the program and pay $7.50 compensation and one free album download.
Initially this may sound like a reasonable settlement. However, the fear is that the offer a free album download will essentially give Sony a dose of good publicity. Once a consumer downloads one free album and realizes the ease, they are more likely to carry on doing so making Sony the eventual winners.
Considering the invaluable information that Sony undoubtedly managed to gleam from consumer’s computers using software that is no different to spyware, the settlement seems unjustified especially when you consider the penalties that other spyware software distributors have gained in the past. US spyware laws dictate that hefty financial fines should be given to those found guilty.
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on Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 at 4:19 pm and is filed under News.
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October 21st, 2007 at 11:18 am
That just seem to be business to them and also another way to promote there business in a covert way and that settlement deal will make them look even better because of the deal of free download. Just another simple advertising scheme.
November 8th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
What this article doesn’t say is what exactly Sony did? I’m intrigued now, and would like to know in case it affects me or my computer.
If anyone know the answer please let me know, or give me a link where I can read it for myself.
Thanks Guys