Microsoft Corp. is concerned about rootkit features in CDs from Sony BMG artists and is evaluating the situation to see if any action needs to be taken, a spokesperson said. The Redmond, Wash., software maker said that the security of its customers" information is a "top priority" and that the company is concerned by software like that deployed by Sony to block illegal CD copying.
However, unlike other security software vendors, Microsoft hasn"t decided whether to take more aggressive action against the product, such as detecting and removing it from systems, the spokesperson said. Sony"s rights management technology, which it calls "sterile burning," shipped on CDs by around 20 Sony BMG artists and is installed along with a custom media player that must be used to play the songs on a Windows PC.