Duncan Lindley wrote (off-list):
On the subject of embarrassing errors;
Sony purchased a root kit ala DRM software from first 4 internet.
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Duncan Lindley
Systems Administrator
Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd
07 3295 5010
0423 025 150
Yes, this is an embarrassing error on my part. It has next to nothing
to do with what I am trying to say, but it is embarrassing
nonetheless. It is particularly embarrasing because I starred the word
"wrote" for emphasis, even though whether or not Sony wrote the
rootkit (they did not) was not central to my argument.
I apologize for insinuating that Sony paid their own programmers to
write the rootkit instead of paying programmers from another company
to use it--that is, paid them for the act of writing it. However, in
the context of this discussion, this is a very small error, because
the point I am driving at is intent.
I-O Data almost certainly did not know that its hard drives were
infected with the Backdoor.Win32.Tompai trojan. Sony almost certainly
knew that their CDs were infected with a rootkit, because they paid
money for the rootkit--they authorized it. If there is substantial
evidence that I-O Data was involved with the writing of
Backdoor.Win32.Tompai or that they paid royalties to copyright-holders
of the intellectual property associated with Backdoor.Win32.Tompai,
then I withdraw my claim that I-O Data was not acting maliciously.
Otherwise, that claim stands.
-Eliah
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