Mark Russinovich is a Windows expert who recently documented the extent to which Sony DRM software changes users' systems without any indication. There is a EULA, but there is no button to click or approve. Merely by loading the CD into your Windows PC, you are accepting the EULA.
The entire experience was frustrating and irritating. Not only had Sony put software on my system that uses techniques commonly used by malware to mask its presence, the software is poorly written and provides no means for uninstall. Worse, most users that stumble across the cloaked files with a RKR scan will cripple their computer if they attempt the obvious step of deleting the cloaked files.
While I believe in the media industry’s right to use copy protection mechanisms to prevent illegal copying, I don’t think that we’ve found the right balance of fair use and copy protection, yet. This is a clear case of Sony taking DRM too far.
It is crazy to me to think that anyone would let a company install software that would manipulate your Windows OS without any knowledge, and that software would actively hide what changes it made to your system.
If there's any definition of bad and over-reaching DRM, this is it. That Sony-BMG still does this is shameful. I wonder if the artist knew just exactly what their customers were getting when they bought this CD. I have a hard time imagining that the artist would approve of such extreme measures.
Mark's Sysinternals Blog: Sony, Rootkits and Digital Rights Management Gone Too Far
That, of course, is ridiculous. Sony is becoming more embarassing by the day.
Wow, looks like Sony actually responded quickly.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/pcworld/123432