Judge Grants Final Approval for Sony BMG CD Settlement
http://www.eff.org/

A U.S. District Court judge in New York gave final approval Monday to a settlement for music fans who purchased Sony BMG music CDs containing flawed copy protection programs. "This settlement gets music fans what they thought they were buying in the first place: music that will play on all their electronic devices without installing sneaky software," said Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Legal Director Cindy Cohn. The claim process actually began back in February and provides anyone who purchased Sony BMG CDs that included First4Internet XCP and SunnComm MediaMax software with the same music without digital rights management (DRM).

Buy any CDs on this list?

If so...

ELIGIBILITY & BENEFITS

If you bought or have a Sony BMG Music Entertainment CD containing either XCP or MediaMax content protection software, you may be eligible to file a claim for the following benefits:

XCP:

You get a benefit if: you have a SONY BMG CD with XCP content protection software, or have already returned such a CD to Sony BMG or to the place of purchase.

What you get: you may receive a replacement CD, a free download of the music on the CD, and software fixes for known security vulnerabilities. In addition, you may choose to receive either
(i) a cash payment of $7.50 and one (1) free album download from CONNECT Music, f.y.e., iTunes, or Wal-Mart; or
(ii) three (3) free album downloads from CONNECT Music, f.y.e., iTunes, or Wal-Mart.

MediaMax:

You get a benefit if: you bought or have a SONY BMG CD with MediaMax content protection software. Your benefit differs depending on the version.

For Version 3.0: you may receive free downloads of the music on the CD and software fixes for known security vulnerabilities.

For Version 5.0: you may receive free downloads of the music on the CD and software fixes for known security vulnerabilities, plus one (1) free album download from CONNECT Music, f.y.e., iTunes, or Wal-Mart.

FILING A CLAIM


* Your claim must be submitted by December 31, 2006. You can submit the claim one of 2 ways:

1. On this website by 11:59 pm on December 31, 2006: https://secureweb.rustcon...tions.aspx

2. By mailing in a hard copy claim form by (a) clicking here, (b) calling 1-800-242-7610 and requesting that a claim form be mailed to you, or (c) sending a written request to SONY BMG CD Technologies Settlement Administrator, P.O Box 1804, Faribault, MN 55021-1804. If you submit a hard copy Claim Form, the envelope must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2006.

* Filing your claim will require that you submit either your CD, copies of proof of purchase, or other purchase documentation to the Settlement Administrator. Any submission that is required for the acceptance of your claim must be postmarked within thirty (30) days of completing the online claim form. You will receive further instruction regarding the documentation required to submit your claim in the claim-filing sections of this website.

If you fail to submit your CD or proof of return within thirty (30) days of completing the online claim form, the Settlement Administrator may reject your claim as incomplete. If your claim is rejected as incomplete, you may file a new claim.

* Before you begin to file a claim online, please be aware that you will need a printer to print the confirmation page and the pre-paid postage label at the end of the process.

* If you wish to retain copies of the claim you submitted, print each page before you continue.

* If your mailing address changes after you submit your claim, please provide your new mailing address to the Settlement Administrator at the address below. Your change of address should also be filed with the U.S. Postal Service.

----
[Edited 5/23/06 19:34pm]

I didn't buy a single one of those.

http://www.sonybmgcdtechs...CDList.htm

CinisterCee said:

me either

Ah, hell, I didn't buy any of the CDs in that link.

Guess I won anyway.

Mara said:

damn, sony has a shite roster!

hey,I bought Santana's 'All That I Am' CD last year.It's on the list.

DavidEye said:

All That I Am















I bought it too

I have Anthony Hamilton, but my version of spyware is the MediaMax one - less perks

PANDURITO said:

well then,let's get a refund

DavidEye said:

I put it in my iPod and had no problem. Probably my version is not copy protected or my computer doesn't know.

And it wasn't that bad. I still play it sometimes when working out at home

PANDURITO said:

I have to admit,I got bored with this CD really quickly.There are a few standout songs,but I guess I'm just sick of all the "guest artists".Santana needs to go back to his roots and make a "real" Santana album with just him and his band.

I have a few on that list:

Deniece Williams - This Is Niecy
Teena Marie - Robbery
Burt Bacharach - At This Time

Anybody who bought one of the FOUR(!) Sarah McLachlan titles on there deserves to lose their money.
[Edited 5/24/06 8:42am]

Stax said: