Final settlement on Sony BMG Rootkit case

US federal judge grants final approval of settlement between Sony BMG Music Entertainment and consumers

24 May 2006 16:58 GMT / By Amber Maitland

A judge has finally approved the terms of the settlement for the class action lawsuit that consumers brought against the music giant in response to anti-piracy technology that Sony BMG used to prevent illegal copying of music CDs.

CDs featuring music from 52 artists had the copy protection software on them. According to the terms of the settlement, consumers can exchange the affected CDs for new ones, obtain software from Sony BMG to remove the technology from their computers, and are eligible for a cash payment of $7.50 and one free album download from 200 titles.

The technology was ruled harmful to computers in part because it left computers vulnerable to hackers and viruses like Stinx, and was installed without the user's permission.

To find out how to claim from the settlement, visit the Electronic Frontier Foundation's website here

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Biz, Lawsuits, Sony BMG