Beastie Boys' New Album Silently Installs DRM Code

nfsilkey writes "After more than five years, the Beastie Boys have released a new album. It seems that the retail disc is bundled with a copy protection autoinstaller which silently silently puts itself onto the listener's computer. Many listeners are up in arms and some are venting their frustrations on the band's website."

Heh

[teknokracy]

Not my version of the album....

DRM is worth it

[Anonymous Coward]

If the Beastie Boys like DRM, I like it too!

My name's Mike D. and I want respect...

[Anonymous Coward]

Your freedom and your privacy are what I expect!

That is just sorry..

[dealsites]

What about fighting for your right to party??? Music makes the party. They are selling out these days.

--
7 Gmail accounts still availiable [dealsites.net]

Nothing wrong with my copy

[kxmas]

I didn't notice anything wrong with the version that I downloaded off the newsgroups.

Obligatory Futurama Quote:

[orkysoft]

Yo Bender wanna make some noise
Get your harddrive scratched by the Beastie Boys!

Ironic

[Anonymous Coward]

That a band with a name like Beastie Boys would do something so beastie to your computer

Calm yourself...

[chronicon]

I'm sure the RIAA said it was OK. Get over it. Besides, I sure if you gave the Hon. Senator Orrin Hatch a call he would help clarify the importance of the issue. You'd just have to get past the "Beastie who??" questions first...

Re:DRM is worth it

[Anonymous Coward]

They even have it in their new lyrics:

Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out
What-wha-what-what-what DRM is all about
Work-wa-work-work-work-wa-work it out
Let's turn this motherfuckin' operating system out

subtle, but effective.

You've got to fight!

[Anonymous Coward]

for your right!

to partty!

without your computer being trojaned by the FskIng MUSIC CD!@#

Sabotage

[The Ape With No Name]

Well, someone had to come up with a "it's part of their plan" post.

Sabotage (Ill Communication)

I Can't Stand It I Know You Planned It
I'm Gonna Set It Straight, This Watergate
I Can't Stand Rocking When I'm In Here
Because Your Crystal Ball Ain't So Crystal Clear
So While You Sit Back and Wonder Why
I Got This Fucking Thorn In My Side
Oh My, It's A Mirage
I'm Tellin' Y'all It's Sabotage

So Listen Up 'Cause You Can't Say Nothin'
You'll Shut Me Down With A Push Of Your Button?
But Yo I'm Out And I'm Gone
I'll Tell You Now I Keep It On And On

'Cause What You See You Might Not Get
And We Can Bet So Don't You Get Souped Yet
You're Scheming On A Thing That's A Mirage
I'm Trying To Tell You Now It's Sabotage

Whyyy; Our Backs Are Now Against The Wall
Listen All Of Y'all It's A Sabotage
Listen All Of Y'all It's A Sabotage
Listen All Of Y'all It's A Sabotage
Listen All Of Y'all It's A Sabotage

I Can't Stand It, I Know You Planned It
But I'm Gonna Set It Straight This Watergate
But I Can't Stand Rockin' When I'm In This Place
Because I Feel Disgrace Because You're All In My Face
But Make No Mistakes And Switch Up My Channel
I'm Buddy Rich When I Fly Off The Handle
What Could It Be, It's A Mirage
You're Scheming On A Thing - That's Sabotage

Jew wiggers, at that

[Anonymous Coward]

n/t, bitches.

You gotta fight...

[neonstz]

You gotta fight for your right to copy!

Isn't this easily circumvented?

[Dimensio]

Wasn't there an article many months (years?) ago about how to circumvent this kind of thing by holding "shift" as you insert the disc? Yes, that's a Windows-only solution, but I don't see this kind of problem affecting Macs or Linux machines.

Wait, is mentioning that little workaround considered a DMCA violation?

Re:Illegal?

[Anonymous Coward]

I was under the impression that installing software on the user's computer without asking is illegal?

Tell that to gator [cjb.net].... I mean the perfectly above board very helpful Claria Corporation [cjb.net]

Jokes aside on a personal note to claria/gator - FUCK YOU YOU WANKERS HOPE YOU LIKE MY VOICEMAIL MESSAGES. Greetings from the UK you fat girlfriend friendless ugly fuckings tossers! Whoops sorry strong words they are nice people really even if they need viagra just to make their girlfriends/boyfriends even think they have something compare to the flat dicks they actually have. DEATH TO ALL SPYWARE FUCKIN SPAMMERS!! Gator/claria eat shit & die m0thr fukin wankers!

Re:Fuck them.

[JonTurner]

Agreed. And to show my disgust, I'm going to NOT buy their album. Twice.

We'll see who's laughing then!

Meme got this earlier

[nukey56]

"Slashdot - We might not be first to the news, but we sure as hell are going to nuke your server. And then some."

memepool [memepool.com] article, complete with link to security focus memo.

Not going to check this out

[dvduval]

I don't think I'll ch-ch-ch-check...check it out! Cause DRM's what it's all about!

Re:Virus

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't be silly. It's only a virus when it's not made by a company.

Mac and Linux

[NEOtaku17]

Is my understanding right that it is only a Windows program? I use both MacOS and several Linux distros and I am exteremly offended they didn't make it compatible with the platforms I feel comfortable using!

Re:You gotta fight...

[miracle69]

You bought a new CD - man you don't wanna know
You go to your PC it says "no go"
Loaded DRM - your machine won't work
But the Beasties don't tell you like you're some kind of jerk.

You gotta fight for your right to copy

The Boys caught your sampling and they said "No Way"
Those hypocrites - use samples every day.
Man, del-ing this is such a drag
Now your idols tossed all their cred in the bag.

You gotta fight for your right to copy!

Don't you buy our CD if you expect to have a hear.
Cause our DRM won't let you play it through the air.
Your PC busted and you said "Where's my noise?"
Aw, man, it won't play cause it's the Beastie Boys.

Re:Heh

[Anonymous Coward]

Heh. Not on my tux-wearing platform. ;)

Shows why Linux is not ready for the desktop

[cetialphav]

This is just another example of why Linux is not ready for the desktop. I should be able to buy this CD and put it in my Linux box and NOT be able to rip it just like on Windows. Until Linux can run all of my important software (DRM controls, Kazaa, Gator, Sobig virus, and various spyware), I'll just stick with windows.

Seriously, this is just stupid. I would guess that most pirated MP3s that are being shared out there have been downloaded from someone else, not ripped from the original CD. So it really only takes a few people with either a linux box or enough sense to turn of autorun on their CD drive to be able to spread pirated MP3s all over the world. This can't possibly stop anything and will likely piss off the people that are supposed to be customers.

How do I show my rage?

[Anonymous Coward]

I want to show my rage and boycott this CD. Problem is, the Beastie Boys are a shallow, washed-up mockery of what they used to be and I wasn't going to buy this piece of crap anyway. What do I do?

Re:Beasties

[E_elven]

Record exec: We decided to give your music away for free, guys. We'll still pay you $50 million, though.
Beasties: Hell no, dude. We DEMAND you put some evil copy protection on the album!
Record exec: Isn't that horribly unfair towards the customers, guys? Come on, have a heart.
Beasties: Oh yeah? Well fuck you, fat Record Exec. We've got the right to party! *BLAWW* *BLAWW* *BLAWW*
Record exec: *Aaaargh* Oooooverrr my deaaaad boddyyyyyy... custooooemmueua *AAAARGH* cstmrrrrs muuust beee pa... pah.... pahmpppered.. *groan*
Beasties: *Urinate on the dead Record Exec and offer a sacrifice to Satan*

Re:Illegal?

[aka-ed]

I'm $orry it'$ ju$t that my keyboard i$ broken.

anyway, who is Ian $ez? Tell Ian that part of the whole point i$ that it doe$n't matter how the arti$t feel$ about copy protection. The label$ have been in the court$ and in front of the pre$$, repeatedly talking about the right$ of the arti$t; how well doe$ that rhetoric $tand up when we learn that the arti$t has no right to avoid $uch protection?

Where i$ the recording indu$trie$' re$pect for arti$t$' right$ in $uch a ca$e?

Re:Fuck them.

[lnX.Kid]

Too bad the album never made it to my Lbox for a gripping...I couldn't bear to listen to anymore of their crappy "Kool Moe Dee" lyrical sty-lee. I mean, does anyone still remember Ron Popeil? Hello, 1985.

Thankfully I got my money back...I feel sorry for any saps that actually like this album!

What I don't understand is - Why in the hell would anyone *want* to rip this crap? They should have retired after Ill Communications....they're just making fools out of themselves.

Re:Nothing wrong with my copy

[noidentity]

I didn't notice anything wrong with the version that I downloaded off the newsgroups.

I ripped and uploaded that copy, and I didn't notice anything wrong with my computer either.

- noidentity

WARNING: THIS COMPUTER HAS BEEN USED FOR ILLEGAL MUSIC PIRACY. ID #1234567

Re:My name's Mike D. and I want respect...

[Mattintosh]

They did it like this [macrovision.com]...
They did it like that [ttrtech.com]...
They did it with the wiffle ball bat [wiffleball.com]...

Re:Illegal?

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes because we use other methods to monitor al Queda inside our borders. Muhahahahaha

Re:Illegal?

[Anonymous Coward]

can we call them MICROS~1 ? ;)

Re:Heh

[teknokracy]

Na. I'm pretty sure that I got only the MP3s and not the spyware.

Re:Illegal?

[deacon]

... becomes apparent that you actually do warrant them to install such an application. I'd imagine it would be part of the liner notes...

Well that seems fair.

When you read this reply to your post, you have agreed to put all your money in a paper bag, put your underwear on your head if it is not already there, slather yourself with Marmite, and run naked down the center of the street throwing your money to passers-by.

That is all.

Re:Heh

[Anonymous Coward]

"Nor on my Macintosh..."

Are you sure? According to the blurb, it "installs 'helpful' copy protection software on MacOS and Windows as soon as you insert the CD into default systems."

Looks like maybe the days of "it's okay, nothing will ever infect my machine, since nobody bothers to write things like this for macs" are coming to an end.

Here comes the death of "security-through-smugness"

Re:Control

[mvpll]

"Our new OS comes with a Longhorn(TM), once an hour it anal probes the user to confirm their identity. After the intial hour long ass reaming required for installation, most users appreciate the quick prostate massage required to keep everything working perfectly."

Where do you want to take it today?

beastieboys.com Offline

[Barryke]

The Beastie Boys [beastieboys.com] site seems to be down.. since half an hour ago actualy...

Maybe some hackers acualy buyed the cd. and got mad.

My EULA

[MaverickUW]

I should try and get a non-US/UK copy of the CD. Then subject them to my EULA:

By installing this software, you consent to your right to pay me the sum of $100,000. Please install your illegal software silently to agree to this EULA.

Re:Isn't this easily circumvented?

[Templaris]

Yes, it is.

And now Slashdot is going to get sued because of that post and a the RIAA will get an injunction to shut down the site in only moments.

Thanks alot jerk...

but then again, I am a moron...

drm?

[BlueLines]

i decided to be wary about this album when i heard the drm rumors, and i was prepared. but i can't seem to find the 'shift' button on my turntable..

Re:Illegal?

[Anonymous Coward]

Damn it! Why did I have to read this post!

Oh well, I was going to put underwear on my head anyways... brb

see, this is why people use windows

[Anonymous Coward]

You have to use the group policies manager to disable it. Goto start --> run --> "gpedit.msc" (thanks to the other replier, I forget what it was called) --> Local Computer Policy --> Administrative Templates --> System (click it) --> on the right pane find "Turn off Autoplay" in the list --> right-click --> properties --> select the "enable" radio button.

Ease of use has always been Windows' strong point. In linux you'd have to open up a file and change something; that's unexceptable for the casual user.

Re:Illegal?

[ichimunki]

I'm confused. If all my money is in the paper bag, do I throw the bag at passers-by or do I use the bag to carry the money until I throw the money at the passers-by?

wow

[unclefungus]

this means somebody paid for an album by the Beastie Boys!

Re:Illegal?

[hayden]

at least those in non-english speaking countries - the software doesn't exist on the US or UK releases

Crickey mate! Only a drongo with reckon that the poms and the septics are the only places bonza enough to have a yarn in English.

Re:Illegal?

[JPriest]

With Linux it won't install the DRM, but it won't make any difference because because your sound card does not work with Linux anyway.

If you don't buy my record, I got my advance

[The Tyro]

But I think it was the appropriately-named The New Style where they said "I had to get a beeper cuz my 'puter is tapped, better keep your mouth shut cuz I'm fully strapped"

Apparently it is the new style.

Sabotaged!

[Rai]

Sabotaged

You can't stand it, you know I planned it
I'm gonna set it straight, this fair use debate
You can't copy shit when I'm in here
Because my new CD will stop all your file shares
So while you sit back and wonder why
Copy protection is installed inside
That's not a real CD, it's a mirage
I'm tellin' y'all you've been sabotaged

So listen up 'cause you can't copy nothin'
I'll shut you down unless you use the shift button
But I'm in and your MP3s are gone
You'll never rip another one of my songs
'Cause what you hear you might not get
And we got legal threats so don't you pirate yet
You're copying a thing that's a mirage
I'm trying to tell you now you've been sabotaged

You can't stand it, you know i planned it
I'm gonna set it straight, the consumer rights fate
You can't copy shit when my CD's in place
And now you feel disgrace because I'm in your disc space
But make no mistakes, I'll shutdown your scandal
I'm Hilary Rosen when I fly off the handle
No more fair use, it was all a mirage
I'm scheming on your rights; you're sabotaged!

Re:Beasties

[Anonymous Coward]

They told us to tell them to screw it anyway in their late 80's hit song "You gotta fight, for you right"...

And I wonder, shouldn't they be called "The Beastie Geezers" now?

'boys' website

[imnoteddy]

I just got: Forbidden You don't have permission to access /index.html on this server. So their website has DRM too?

New Song Titles

[nathanh]

Their next album has the following predicted hits.

• Three MCs and One DRM
• Fight Against Your Right (to COOOOO-PY)
• Intergalactic Copy Protection
• Sabotage (your Fair Use)

I was going to buy the latest album but screw them. No album is worth the hassle of DRM.

Linux machines.

[eniu!uine]

"Wasn't there an article many months (years?) ago about how to circumvent this kind of thing by holding "shift" as you insert the disc? Yes, that's a Windows-only solution, but I don't see this kind of problem affecting Macs or Linux machines."

I'd like to see them try to install something on my linux machine. Hell, I can't install anything when I'm trying.

Re:Heh

[YOU LIKEWISE FAIL IT]

Jumping Jesus, this coming from someone with a Calvin & Hobbes quote in their signature. Oh the delicious ironing!

Re:My name's Mike D. and I want respect...

[Anonymous Coward]

We've got to fight,
for our right,
to co-py..

Re:Heh

[pcmanjon]

"when I think Beastie Boys I think of an 80's video for Fight For Your Right to Party"

Fight for your right TO FAIR USE!!
dA na nAN annanaanananna
I said FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO FAIR USE!
da na na na na najn anana YEAH!

Re:Heh

[tyndyll]

Heck, why not encrypt the cd, have it access a server on the net where you put in your geographical location, favorite color, age, job position, mothers maden name, and your address, and they send you a floppy disk that has a program that checks for the original cd, then sets an "ok" flag in some directory, that will allow you to access the second digital key (each time you want to play the cd) from the internet, makes you take two steps backwards, turn clockwise twice, then hold the left mouse button, the - on the keypad, F2 and F10 all at the same time in order to listen to it.

performing this satanic ritual while listening to iron maiden will bring forth the beast with wrath - you have been warned