ZDNet Slams Amazon!

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by fugazied

I wouldn't call it the world's worst DRM.

I have a hard time calling any DRM I can strip the worst hence Sony's .lrx is far worse to me than .azw. Topaz, on the other hand is a horrid format and I can't strip it so it's my current nomination for worst though I don't believe that's what ZD Net was talking about.

[HansTWN]

But the funny thing is that he mentioned Apple. The pioneer in this matter! Apple can delete any application off your iphone/ipod touch remotely. Unless you jailbreak and disable the kill switch.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

And, Sony's DRM is just as screwed up as Amazon's. Most or all DRM schemes are screwed up, so why pick on Amazon??

Well, I do wonder why Amazon finds it necessary to hide your PID... They do read mobipocket books (even though they give it another name), so, why aren't you allowed to buy your (DRM'd) mobipocket books somewhere else?

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Separately, a few years ago Sony added spyware to their audio CD's; put one in your Windows PC, and without your permission or knowledge it installed a bunch of software that, among other things, restricted your ability to burn certain Sony/BMG audio CDs. The spyware took many steps to hide itself and make it difficult to uninstall, which in turn provided a method for malware to hide itself on the effected machines. Eventually several anti-virus companies put the Sony rootkit onto their malware lists.

After much criticism and lawsuits, Sony released an uninstall tool... that installed an ActiveX control that removed a security feature -- thus allowing any site to install programs via ActiveX without restriction. While not a malevolent act, it was painfully sloppy and opened up a huge security hole.

They did not restrict just burning. They were inserting noise into every CD you listened to in "unapproved" software. So if you wanted to rip your own CD into a Sony mp3 player or minidisk using different Sony software - the one that officially came with the mp3 player - you got inferior quality.

The situation was further aggravated by very arrogant way the Sony high ranking executive answered to first allegations of misconduct.

And you forgot to mention the cherry on the top of this steaming pile - the fact that in order to write their software they(*) STOLE code. Yes. they stole IP property. And they stole it from Jon Lech Johansen - sometimes known as "DVD Jon". DVD Jon is the guy that broke the drm for DVDs. Talk about irony!

(*) the software was written by a third party, Sony just commissioned it, paid for it and distributed it ;-)

[HarryT]

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by Alisa

I have a hard time calling any DRM I can strip the worst hence Sony's .lrx is far worse to me than .azw. Topaz, on the other hand is a horrid format and I can't strip it so it's my current nomination for worst though I don't believe that's what ZD Net was talking about.

I agree with Alisa. If I can strip it then it's not the worst DRM (at least from my perspective ).

[carlobee]

i agree with what you said. thanks for sharing your opinion. we totally have different views on everything but well, amazon just has to focus well on the customers needs and even feelings. that way, these reactions or happenings might as well be avoided.

[John Bailey]

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

Well, I do wonder why Amazon finds it necessary to hide your PID... They do read mobipocket books (even though they give it another name), so, why aren't you allowed to buy your (DRM'd) mobipocket books somewhere else?

Because then you might buy your DRMed Mobipocket stuff somewhere else.

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by John Bailey

Because then you might buy your DRMed Mobipocket stuff somewhere else.

Exactly, it's called market tying.