Days after Princeton graduate student Alex Halderman publishes a paper revealing that SunnComm's new MediaMax CD-3 CD-copy prevention software (which will soon be standard issue on new discs) can be easily defeated if a user simply holds down the "shift" key during disc load-up, the company files a lawsuit against him.

What a load of horse manure.

SunnComm should consider itself lucky the software's weakness was exposed before their technology became more commonly used and the problem harder to fix. Right now, they're getting heat from BMG, the first major label to use their system.

What if this little discovery was published after several other labels signed on? SunnComm would be in a much deeper pile of ordure than that they are now. It's isn't as if Haldreman developed and released a hack enabling people to deactivate the software - SunnComm had reportedly actually made a public statement saying that they were fully aware of the "shift-key" bypass, but released their CD copyguard system to BMG Music Group nonetheless.

To me, that sounds like the old deal when somebody trips while walking, then they say to passers-by, "oh, I actually meant to do that. I was testing a new dance step."

Sounds like SunnComm's doing the old soft shoe with a new twist.

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