sony keeps digging

[solarbird]

In case you haven't heard about this patent yet, Sony has decided that used software is the same as counterfeit/pirated software, and has patented a system that would let them make their game-system games permanently bonded to one and only one machine ever, specifically to destroy the used-games market. It wouldn't let you take a copy of your game over to your friend's house to play it, either, because apparently, Sony hates and loathes you, its customers. gamera_spinning has the brutal and gory details here. Note that this hasn't been implemented yet - just a complete method to implement it has been patented. Watch for it coming to a game system near you. :-p

And there's more! The "code left behind" after you run Sony's so-called "removal" programme includes an ActiveX control which is marked safe for scripting. One of the things the code chunk does is download executable code and run it. Without any user intervention. Without checking where the code is coming from. Details here: http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2005/11/sony_uninstall_.html

Comments

[brombear.livejournal.com]

Kinda makes you wonder what software they've got their paws into online...like Direct X...?

[smeehrrr.livejournal.com]

Someone needs to inform Sony (and First 4 Internet) that you need an _infinite_ number of monkeys to ensure correct software.

[solarbird]

I'm pretty sure at this point that the PS4 will include a mode that cuts the disc into a ninja star and ejects it at you to sever a major artery whenever it decides you've violated your TOS.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

I do wish Sony wouldn't do mean, evil things, not because I'm one of their customers, but because I'm one of their vendors.

[solarbird]

I have a lot of Sony equipment and stuff. Minidisc player/recorder, DVD player, home theatre audio system, PVR... and I'm not buyin' anything else now. They're going to have to reform, and convince me of it, which won't be easy. So for now, they've lost me. If they're going to treat me, the customer, as a criminal, then I'm not going to be a customer.

[kirbyk.livejournal.com]

This is pretty much the deciding factor in my mind in whether I want an XBox 360 or PS3 for my next system. XBox for the win.

[sir-quirky-k.livejournal.com]

Seconded, but with Microsoft being evil too I think it's seriously going to be worth hanging on for Nintendo Revolution. Or sticking to PC gaming, but that ties you to running a Windows OS really.

It's worth noting that a significant and growing minority of the games I buy are pre-owned.

And what about game rentals?