Sony 'Anti-Used Game' Patent Explored

Sometime in 2000, Sony patented a process that would 'verify a disc as legitimate, register the disc to that particular game console, then wipe out verification data so the disc would be rendered unreadable in other PlayStations'. Despite unrest in the gaming community over this technology, the company has repeatedly stated they have no plans to use it in the PS3. The LA Times explores this persistent debate, examining why Sony developed the tech and why gamers are nervous. From the article: "Whatever Sony's plans, the tempest [over the patent] illustrates the changing nature of ownership as millions of people accumulate vast collections of digital entertainment. Few people realize that when they buy software or music or movies, they are actually buying a license to use, watch or listen. That's why it violates copyright laws for people to sell copies of their music collection." Thanks to 1up.com for the link.

Re:LA Times apparently unfamiliar with copyright l

[poot_rootbeer]

When you buy a copyright protected item, you own that particular thing.

That particular instance of that thing, yes. If you buy a copy of a book, you own that paper and ink and binding glue.

You need zero license to make standard use of that particular thing you purchased.

You need zero license to make NON-standard use of that thing either, as long as that use is legal. You can run your brand new copy of "The Da Vinci Code" through a crosscut shredder and use it as confetti, if you like. In fact, I recommend this.

The only things you CAN'T do by law with a purchased copy of a copyrighted work are those actions expressly forbidden by the copyright law.

Re:LA Times apparently unfamiliar with copyright l

[tinkerghost]

And the right of first sale has been upheld repeatedly to grant you the right to sell your book - although converting it to confeti might make it a derivative work in which case it's not legal.... Unless it's a parody of the work at that point...
My brain hurts now ... I'll go kill some pixels before they start liscencing the images so I can only view them once....

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

On Not Being Evil

[Kozar_The_Malignant]

We here at Sony have no plans for being evil or for implementing this technology. We are merely exploring the technology of being evil for academic and esthetic reasons. Do we look like the kind of company that would use technology against our own customers? Don't worry about this. You should only worry about digital rights management if you actually have any digital rights, and you don't.

Bad news for the PS4

[Goldrush]

I doubt it's true. That idea would pretty much destroy a big advantage Sony enjoys, backward compatibility.

Re:Blockbusted

[XxtraLarGe]

I think we finally figured it out! Sony did this out of the goodness of their hearts for their customers! They hold a patent on a malicious anti-gaming technology specifically so nobody will be able to do it for 20 years. That sounds like something Sony would do, doesn't it?

Re:LA Times apparently unfamiliar with copyright l

[91degrees]

Well... It wouldn't violate copyright law, unless someone has previously bludgeoned your teacher to death in a fixed medium.

Re:Blockbusted

[Rakshasa Taisab]

You are way too optimistic. It should be obvious that Sony wants a monopoly on Evil, thus they patent this tech to hurt their competitor; Microsoft.