NationStates Jolt Archive


Today, I boycotted Sony

Tactical Grace
16-11-2005, 21:58
Earlier today, I was in the market for a personal CD player. I could have easily bought a Sony one, as a couple of models on display met my requirements. But mindful of their recent criminal activities, I bought an equivalent product from a competitor, and for half the price.

I also spent over a hundred quid on a stack of albums...none of them produced by Sony or its subsidiaries.

My money, they wanted, they craved, but they could not have. That's what happens when you piss off customers. They don't complain, they just take their money elsewhere.

A CD player and some albums may not be much, but as I am a tech-savvy young professional with a disposable income largely spent on electronic entertainment, I am precisely the type of customer they do not want to lose permanently. It's not a silly omg noes anti-capitalist thing. Plenty of outfits out there screw with people's systems, but these guys got caught. Too bad. On this occasion, they lose me at least.

I just wanted to share, and to show that for all the talk of boycott hype, there are some netheads who will stand by their principles, however futile it may seem. :)

If only kicking the Microsoft habit was so easy, when all games are written exclusively for it... :headbang:
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 22:19
As bad as everything Microsoft has done is, I don't think I've ever been incensed at them like I am currently at Sony's actions.
The Nintendo Emerates
16-11-2005, 22:20
Care to enlighten me as to there current criminal activities?
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 22:48
Care to enlighten me as to there current criminal activities?

http://money.cnn.com/2005/11/16/technology/sony_bmg.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes
Kryozerkia
16-11-2005, 22:48
As bad as everything Microsoft has done is, I don't think I've ever been incensed at them like I am currently at Sony's actions.
And the ironic thing is that it was a guy from Microsoft that blew the whistle on the rootkit... :D
[NS]Olara
16-11-2005, 22:49
I'm having an internal debate, here. I really wanted a PS3, but that was mainly because of brand loyalty (I'd had no real problems with my PS and PS2). But needless to say, that loyalty took a hit when I found out this whole thing. I don't know what I'll do now, but it probably won't matter, as I'll be too poor to afford one when they come out, anyway.
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 22:49
And the ironic thing is that it was a guy from Microsoft that blew the whistle on the rootkit... :D

Well only Microsoft would be so anal-retentive in paying attention to every little thing that happens to Windows source in the entire world.
Nova Roma
16-11-2005, 22:52
Ahh... Captialism at work! If you don't like the ethics (or lack thereof) of a company, boycott them!

Keep up the great work. If I bought anything Sony in the first place, I'd be with you. But I haven't purchased any Sony products for some time. Regardless, I suppose I'll never buy any again until they rectify themselves!
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 22:53
Olara']I'm having an internal debate, here. I really wanted a PS3, but that was mainly because of brand loyalty (I'd had no real problems with my PS and PS2). But needless to say, that loyalty took a hit when I found out this whole thing. I don't know what I'll do now, but it probably won't matter, as I'll be too poor to afford one when they come out, anyway.

Well let's keep in mind that Sony BMG and Sony Electronics are different entities under the Sony umbrella. They're not the same people in almost any respect.
Kryozerkia
16-11-2005, 22:54
Well only Microsoft would be so anal-retentive in paying attention to every little thing that happens to Windows source in the entire world.
And it's a good thing, since XCP can easily be exploited and it is no better than a Trojan or worm, in fact it's worse. It uses a rootkit to embed itself in your Windows System files. It makes a computer easier to exploit. For once, it's nice to see Microsoft on top of the situation, rather than running up with a piece of plywood to nail over a broken window, like they normally do following an exploit in their O/S.
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 22:55
Ahh... Captialism at work! If you don't like the ethics (or lack thereof) of a company, boycott them!

Keep up the great work. If I bought anything Sony in the first place, I'd be with you. But I haven't purchased any Sony products for some time. Regardless, I suppose I'll never buy any again until they rectify themselves!

This kind of sucks for me. I've never really paid attention to what label artists were signed to when I bought their CDs. Before, if I liked a CD, I just bought it. The first time there's a CD I want to buy, only to find it's put out by Sony BMG, I am going to be very, very angry.
Kryozerkia
16-11-2005, 22:58
This kind of sucks for me. I've never really paid attention to what label artists were signed to when I bought their CDs. Before, if I liked a CD, I just bought it. The first time there's a CD I want to buy, only to find it's put out by Sony BMG, I am going to be very, very angry.
you could always join one of the 16 lawsuits in progress.

Further, if I'm not mistaken, Sony has been obliged to release a patch to remedy this...
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 22:59
you could always join one of the 16 lawsuits in progress.

Further, if I'm not mistaken, Sony has been obliged to release a patch to remedy this...

I don't think, if I bought one of the CDs weeks after this story broke, I'd be eligible for the lawsuits.
Liverbreath
16-11-2005, 23:00
Well you know you have a rogue company on your hands when the computer guru for the Wall Street Journal recommends boycotting them as Walt Mossburg did a couple of weeks ago.
It has no effect on me however, I respect the boycott on all companies represented by the RIAA without exception. I've saved a ton of money and miss nothing at all.
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 23:00
Besides, this is going to prevent my purchase of any Sony BMG CDs, not just the ones with the spyware.
Syniks
16-11-2005, 23:26
you could always join one of the 16 lawsuits in progress.

Further, if I'm not mistaken, Sony has been obliged to release a patch to remedy this...
Except the patch is worse than the rootkit...

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9942427#post9942427 :headbang:
Sdaeriji
16-11-2005, 23:31
Except the patch is worse than the rootkit...

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9942427#post9942427 :headbang:

I believe they're working on a patch for the patch.
OceanDrive2
16-11-2005, 23:37
This kind of sucks for me. I've never really paid attention to what label artists were signed to when I bought their CDs. Before, if I liked a CD, I just bought it. The first time there's a CD I want to buy, only to find it's put out by Sony BMG, I am going to be very, very angry.I dont have a use for CDs ...I use a Sony mp3 player...

Problems with retail CDs?...your problem, not mine :D
Syniks
16-11-2005, 23:38
I believe they're working on a patch for the patch.
Micro$oft has a Patent on that.... ;)
The Chinese Republics
17-11-2005, 02:26
http://www.ctrlaltdel-online.com/comics/20051104.jpg
DrunkenDove
17-11-2005, 02:33
Indeed. I was going to get a PS3. Looks like Microsoft or Nintendo will be getting my money now.
Sdaeriji
17-11-2005, 02:54
I dont have a use for CDs ...I use a Sony mp3 player...

Problems with retail CDs?...your problem, not mine :D

Yeah. I have this thing about supporting the artists I enjoy.
OceanDrive2
17-11-2005, 03:30
Yeah. I have this thing about supporting the artists I enjoy.good for you.

and Good Luck with all the never ending Digital-Rights-Management spy shiite they keep reinventing... ;)
Non Aligned States
17-11-2005, 03:35
For once, it's nice to see Microsoft on top of the situation, rather than running up with a piece of plywood to nail over a broken window, like they normally do following an exploit in their O/S.

True, but you have to remember, the exploiter in this case is a major company. That means their big enough to have deep cash reserves and feel a major pinch in a class action lawsuit like this. Easier to topple a giant if you're another giant than to step on some ants you can barely see eh?