Play a Sony BMG cd on your computer - get a virus for free.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
installs its own copy-protection software without telling you about it as well.

The question is Skuzzy, how many of us seek copy-protection bypass technology for our legitimately owned games? Almost everyone I know has sought to bypass the copyprotection in BF2, even though they own legit copies, and in doing so have ventured into the wicked world of piracy. Do these software companies realize they are encouraging illegal activities?

[Skuzzy]

Vulcan, I don't.  I just do not buy a game which has any type of copy-protection implemented.  I prefer to send the message to the producer/distributor.

I do not own BF2, nor SHIII, nor any game which has copy protection and I never will.  If you buy a copy-protected game, you are subsidizing copy-protection schemes

[Vulcan]

Yeah I agree with you on that Skuzzy. But what I am saying is in the real world, a friend of mine got 20 copies of BF2 at good price for a group of us. Almost every person in that group has installed the bits from gamecopyworld to bypass the copy protection. People in this group range from geeks to complete newbies.

Its a good indicator that the public is becoming more educated and their stance on DRM is diverging from that of the big companies.

[lasersailor184]

Interesting read.  Thanks skuzzy.


Now a question for you.  If this legislation is passed, do you think it will lead to a revolution?

[MrRiplEy[H]]

The best part of this Sony rootkit is that if your rootkit detector detects it and tries to clean it - whaddam you lose your CD-Rom drive functionality.

Meaning a few thousands of computer illiterates will run their virus scan, choose 'delete' and end up with a broken computer.

[Mustaine]

quick techie question about this whole thing....

would you be able to run and listen to the previous mentioned CD's on a linux system, and be safe from the invasive software being installed?

[Gh0stFT]

Originally posted by Skuzzy
I just do not buy a game which has any type of copy-protection implemented.  I do not own BF2, nor SHIII, nor any game which has copy protection and I never will.  

i dont understand this, its a game, nothing more.
in 2 year nobody will remember that game anyway,
why dont get a rig only for gaming like i do? (see it as a playstation)
Games should not affect your real life, play it and have fun,
tomorrow it will be old and you will buy a new one.

[Skuzzy]

Vulcan, that 20 copy purchase sent a message to some marketing analyst which says, copy-protection is a good thing.  It does not hurt sales.  Let's do more!

Busting it after-the-fact is not going to stop it.  If you want it gone, and I presume everyone would like it gone, then vote with your wallet.  It's simple really.

You can bet it would not take long for the producers/distributors to knuckle under and drop these schemes if a concerted effort to avoid those products was made by the consumer.

However, it appears consumers will not make that choice, which allows these schemes to propagate and become more nefarious with each iteration.

[Skuzzy]

Originally posted by Mustaine
quick techie question about this whole thing....

would you be able to run and listen to the previous mentioned CD's on a linux system, and be safe from the invasive software being installed?

Yes.

Originally posted by Gh0stFT
i dont understand this, its a game, nothing more.
in 2 year nobody will remember that game anyway,
why dont get a rig only for gaming like i do? (see it as a playstation)
Games should not affect your real life, play it and have fun,
tomorrow it will be old and you will buy a new one.

I do not purchase those products as I refuse to support these copy-protection schemes.  Greed is driving these schemes, and when you buy it, you are subsidizing that greed.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Gh0stft its because if consumers won't fight DRM software, it will become a part of everything. And it will control everything.

What if your handgun will be DRM controlled, refusing to shoot unless authorized by RF?

[Gh0stFT]

its a game, not something i really need to survive.

[Skuzzy]

Exactly.  That is why it is no big deal for me to walk away from it.  Gives me more time in the wood shop at home.

[g00b]

I say bring the DRM. It'll just push everyone into linux/OSS software that much faster. Speaking of which... Skuzzy any chance you guys will port to *nix or xbox 360 or something? Cause Aces High is the ONLY reason I still have windows. Seriously.

g00b

[Gh0stFT]

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
What if your handgun will be DRM controlled, refusing to shoot unless authorized by RF?

well, i never owned a handgun, and i doubt i will own a gun in the
future, i just cant imagine why i should own one here ? no need.

But what have the Software control to do with real hardware stuff?

zero

[Wolf14]

Guys I dont mean to come across as stupid but is there a list or way to tell from the cover, if a game/ software product is protected?

It seems to me that it will come to a point that you wont be able to buy anything and have a legit back-up copy. At that point what fun is it to have a computer anymore.