{California} Users compensated in Sony CD row (BBC)

Record label Sony BMG will compensate customers in California whose computers were damaged by anti-piracy software on CDs sold by the firm.

It settles a long-running lawsuit between Sony BMG and a number of US states about the nature of digital rights management software on CDs.

The episode caused a great deal of embarrassment for the world's second largest record label.

Agreements with other states are expected to follow.

As part of the settlement agreed this week, Sony BMG will provide refunds of up to $175 (£89) to customers in California who can provide a description and documentation of damage to their computers from the software.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6197107.stm

(Bold added by me)

"All the affected CDs were only sold in North America."

Oh - is that so ? Be interesting to know exactly how they're aware of that. I frequently buy CDs from USA suppliers through Amazon - either .co.uk or .com and I'm in the UK. No mentioned is made of DVDs to which I guess the same may also apply.

In passing, if you're in the UK , it's now impossible to buy multiregion DVD players through the big outlets. This is alleged to be as a result of EEC anti piracy rulings which of course is a complete load of bollocks - it's an attempt to stop us importing Region 1 DVDs. If you do need one I suggest you search on the internet and find one of the Asian shops down the Edgware Rd in London - they'll reconfigure one for you at no extra cost and bung in the mail cost. I've just had one delivered for a girlie friend for Christmas.

FYI ...

There are ways around it, just not using mass produced DVD players or the most popular kinds of software that play the discs.

Just a "happy DRM" salutation to all those who insist on using devices that are crippled by design. Seriously ... if the companies that do this didn't make bank from it, they wouldn't do it. But, they do, because unfortunately most people simply don't care. Take my rights. Please.

And good luck to all those who try to seek their portion of the settlement. Methinks Sony has few worries.

the way they've loaded it down with conditions. If the world were fair (right), they'd have to pay a hefty amount for every DRM CD sent in to them.