Comments on: Sony settles with FTC in rootkit case

Proposed agreement includes barring Sony BMG from installing copy protection software on CDs without users' consent.

[gw188397]

Sony may be squre with the United States of America

but they're not square with me. It will be a long, long, long time before I forget this.

[ArbitraryThinker]

Not good enough

The only way to stop this type of behavior is to make the settlement more punitive. Sony BMG needs to made into an example.

[slim-1]

A step in the right direction. Jail time and not being able to do rootkits

at all would have been even better.

Now if we can get them to do the same with Microsoft over WGA we can do 2 in a row.

[hadaso]

Different classes of criminals

I can see now that there are different classes of criminals in the USA.

You can do jail time for breaking an entry if you are not wealthy and did it one time. Or you can settle with the FTC if are wealthy and did it millions of times.

So what's next? Perhaps a phone manufacturer that installs a hidden microphone so that they can listen to my phone calls and sell the info to telemarketers? Or a refrigerator with hidden camera so they can track my usage of the appliance? How about a washing machine with hiden control that communicates with RFID tags on detergent packaging so the manufacturer can control the quality of the results based on their current deals with manufacturers of detergents? Or a car with hiden transmitter that allows the manufacturer to determine if you've done anything that might void your warrantie?

If the result is a settlement and the financial gain is higher than fine then why not? After all corporate thieves are not subject to the same laws as petty thieves!

[skeptik]

classes is right...

Any individual can get the same white gloves treatment. All they have to do is pour millions into the coffers of connected politicians.

[vm019302]

You've got that right...

Individual copyright violators face fines of $250,000 per title and 5 years in prison. Where are the punitive fines and jail terms for the criminals who violate the rights of consumers?