Sony Files Rootkit Lawsuit

Remember all the hubbub about Sony BMG and rootkits two years ago? For those of you who do not remember, rootkits are software tools that hide running processes from a computer's operating system. In 2005, Sony BMG surreptitiously placed digital rights management ("DRM") software on certain music CDs it distributed in order to defeat efforts to copy the CDs. The software was hidden from the Windows operating system, and thus hidden from the user. The DRM software, however, opened security holes into the user's system, allowing hackers to have access. Sony BMG has spent much of the last two years and millions of dollars trying to fix the problem it created.

In a recent turn of events, it appears Sony BMG has filed a $12 million dollar lawsuit in New York state court against Arizona-based Amergence Group, the maker of one of the DRM titles installed by Sony. Litigation related to the Sony rootkit debacle will likely go on for years.