Sony DRM Debacle Roundup Part V

Here's the last 2005 installment of the Sony DRM Debacle, posted moments before I leave on vacation — tune in after Jan 1 to see what new disasters Sony can create for itself by deploying technology that punishes people who buy its products instead of downloading them from P2P networks.

Dec 5: Sony rootkit ripped off anti-DRM code to break into iTunes
Code from the Free/Open Source program DRMS was illegally included in the XCP rootkit — and Princeton researchers Felten and Halderman reveal why: in order to sneak Sony music onto the iPod without giving Apple a cut of the sale through the iTunes Music Store.
Dec 6: Sony *finally* releases rookit uninstaller — sort of
65 days after being put on notice about the XCP rootkit on 50+ of its CD Sony releases an "uninstaller," but the fine-print makes it clear that this doesn't really uninstall anything.
Dec 6: Musician: DRM screws my fans, so it screws me
Damien Kulash, the lead singer for the band OK Go, has a great editorial in the NYTimes today, describing why DRM systems are bad for artists.
Dec 6: EFF forces Sony/Suncomm to fix its spyware — UPDATED
After intense pressure from EFF, Sony releases an uninstaller for the Mediamax spyware that comes on music CDs from Sony and other music companies.
Dec 7: Sony's DRM security fix leaves your computer more vulnerable
Princeton DRM researchers Halderman and Felten publish their investigation into the uninstaller that Sony has provided for the Mediamax spyware — turns out that the uninstaller creates even more vulnerabilities.
Dec 9: EFF to Sunncomm: release a list of all infected CDs!
EFF petititons Sunncomm, makers of the MediaMax spyware, to release a list of all infected CDs and to institute policies for future policies.
Dec 14: Sony Artists offering home-burned CDs to replace spyware-infected discs
Sony refuses to recall CDs infected with Sunncomm's MediaMax spyware, so some artists are running their own recall programs, offering home-burned CDs to fans who complain that the software prevents them from ripping their CDs.
Dec 15: HOWTO make a DRM CD
Alex Halderman, one of the Princeton researchers who's been doggedly revealing the tricks, nastiness, cheating and lies in the Sony DRM Debacle, has published a detailed HOWTO explaining how to make your own malicious "industrial strength" DRM CD, just like Sony's. The perfect project for your holiday break!