Sony BMG Caught Pirating Software
from the funny-how-that-works dept
Wouldn't you know it? The organizations who scream the loudest about how unauthorized copies are "theft" and how "piracy" is destroying their industries are just as likely to get caught making unauthorized copies themselves. In the past, for example, we've pointed out that the MPAA was using software in an unauthorized manner, and also that it had made unauthorized copies of a movie, against the demands of the movie's producer. Now, we find out (via Slashdot) that Sony BMG has been caught in a BSA raid with a ton of unauthorized software -- potentially up to 47% of the software at the offices. Now, I tend to think that BSA raids are highly questionable, but if it's true that Sony BMG is using unauthorized software, the company has some explaining to do. It's one of the major labels and has been a huge supporter of the RIAA's "anti-piracy" campaign. For a company so adamantly against piracy, it seems rather telling that it can't live up to its own standards. Considering the RIAA has been pushing for Congress to increase the statutory fines for copyright infringement, perhaps Sony would like to set a good example and pay at the high end of the range?Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: copyright, unauthorized software
Companies: bsa, sony bmg
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Fines relative
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Re: Fines relative
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Will the Public Ever Learn of this Hypocrisy?
I seriously doubt any of these news anchors will even hear of this or even consider it newsworthy enough to report on. How unfortunate that the hypocrisy will go unreported.
At least there is a bit of irony in the BSA going after Sony BMG. I am reminded of a lawyer joke about professional courtesy. Seems that the BSA would give Sony BMG a professional pass.
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Happy Birthday dear Sony BMG....
Someone's got to audit the guys who own "Happy Birthday."
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"Why yes sir, I suppose you could think of it as a Rootkit."
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They Obviously...
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The thing is, if Sony BMG can't keep its own house clean, it'll have a very tough time prosecuting other people for IP and licence infringment. So far it's protested on a "high moral ground" (even though most RIAA groups have problems paying their own artists properly). This will hopefully remove that argument so the cases have to be argued on their own merits. Which are flimsy at best.
It'll be fun seeing how they fight these claims. Do they give in and pay up (most likely if they have any sense)? Or do they fight either the dollar amount being claimed or the level of unauthorised software found? Either of the latter will put BMG into a deliciously similar position to the customer they themselves sue.
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Sony BMG Caught Pirating Software
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Re: Sony BMG Caught Pirating Software
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Re: Re: Sony BMG Caught Pirating Software
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Made an example of...
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Your article is misleading!!
That is part of the article you are referring to, nowhere does it say that the Sony BMG pirates 47% of the stuff they use. I hate those people too, but writing misleading articles is lame. I am pretty sure the 47% is BS anyway.
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Re: Your article is misleading!!
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Re: Your article is misleading!!
And
"Essentially, the PointDev CEO says that the BSA has said that Sony has a software piracy rate of 47%."
I think Mike is valid is stating "potentially up to 47% of the software at the offices" since he seems to be paraphrasing the previous quotes.
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Then they can fight each other in court to death....
And the rest of the world lived happily ever after.
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You don't understand...
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And it's actually :People who live in glass houses shall not throw stones: & Loose lips sink ships.
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HAHAHAHA!!
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BSA raid FTW!
sure BSA raids are so much BS, but it's great when villains turn on each other.
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Spitzered
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Re: Spitzered
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Sony just have to turn around and send RIAA/MPAA sniffing dogs to the homes of BSA bigwigs for illegal music and movies.
Then they can fight each other in court to death...."
That made my day.
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Article details
Second, they were actually turned in innocently to PointDev by an employee that called tech support after being assured that the software was legal.
PointDev had no record of Sony as a client.
The BSA should be forced to turn over the license fee value to the original corporation. If they want to keep the "penalties", that's OK by me but otherwise, they are just a better, more well-connected thief.
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You know the BSA..
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People and corporations
If a person is accused (only accused) by the RIAA, the maximum fine could be $50,000 or more. The choices faced by the person are:
1) Hire a lawyer and fight it, which will probably drain his savings.
2) Work a deal with the RIAA for a settlement. He gives them $2,500, they don't go to court, and the RIAA claims another "victory over pirates".
If a corporation is accused, they just whip out their corporate attorneys. They can afford to pay their attorneys $5 million or $10 million if it will save them from having to pay $50 million in fines.
Heck, they'll pay that much just to keep a case like this out of the press!
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Raids
My business is my private property. If the BSA shows up and wants to "raid" me, I'd just tell them to take a hike. It's not like they're actual cops or anything. They certainly don't have a warrant or any other cumpulsory legal process.
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regulation scmegulation
Of course the fed would have every right and power to raid such a business as there is illegal activity on the premises.
The fed has the right to regulate and monitor businesses. Ever hear of monitoring and regulation? If you don't like regulation, then pick up a bag of crunchy snacks from Zimbabwe and not think once about sanitary conditions the product was produced in, or what contaminants it contains.
Regulation, schmegulation.
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Re: regulation scmegulation
Here's a clue for you: Unlike the BSA, the feds DO have actual cops. That's the difference (although the BSA likes to think otherwise).
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Re: regulation scmegulation
> NYC on site at your very own legit delivery company (example)...
> then the fed has absolutely no right to interfere with your
> 'operations' because it is 'private property'?
That's not my logic at all. The federal government has legal authority. Of course the government has the legal right to raid private property (assuming they have a properly executed search warrant). But the Business Software Alliance (BSA) is not a government agency. It's an association of businesses. They don't have any more right to show up and "raid" me than you do.
> The fed has the right to regulate and monitor businesses.
You seem to be under the mistaken impression that the BSA is part of the government. It's not a part of the government anymore than the RIAA or the MPAA.
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No Honor?
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Hypocrisy is not Evidence
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the RIAA argued that even if copyright infringement is committed by a child, the parent should be responsible since they own the computer? So why shouldn't the entire company be held responsible for the actions of a few employees?
Better yet, the movie and music industry want the Pro-IP act passed, which provides for the confiscation of any and all equipment used in the commission of copyright infringement. (in the USA, a conviction is NOT required in order to seize assets), so shouldn't they have all their servers confiscated?
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