Sony BMG Settles DRM Lawsuits

According to published reports Sony BMG is close to settling one of the consumer class action lawsuits stemming from it’s recent digital rights management/rookit debacle.

The New York Times writes that the  proposed settlement . "…would let some consumers receive free downloads to compensate them for Sony having surreptitiously included spy ware on millions of CD’s….(and) require Sony BMG to stop making compact discs with MediaMax software or with extended copy protection, or XCP, software that could leave computers vulnerable to hackers."

"…The proposed settlement was submitted to Federal District Court in Manhattan on Wednesday. A judge was expected to decide in January whether to tentatively approve it."

"Under the settlement, Sony BMG…will let consumers who bought the CD’s receive replacement discs without the antipiracy technology and will let them choose one of two compensation packages."

"The first package would allow consumers a cash payment of $7.50 and a promotion code allowing them to download one additional album from a list of more than 200 titles…The second package would permit them to download three additional albums from the list…Those who bought MediaMax CD’s would receive additional compensation."

Read the full story here.