Dear Sony

The line between sheer stupidity and blunt arrogance has been blurred.

Dear Sony;

Sincerely,
Someone You're Trying To Sell Your Virus-Laden Products To

Years ago, I recall a time when seeing what record label was printed on an LP served as a guide. I liked just about anything on 4AD. Geffen artists were far more pop culture, but I tended to like those too. When I realized the band Sugar was on Ryko, I bought their "Copper Blue" CD.

I envision a time in the near future when a label has the opposite effect. I already knew to beware of Sony artists. Is that really the effect Sony was going for?

Here's what I'm talking about - from Friday's Washington Post:

"Stung by continuing criticism, the world's second-largest music label, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, promised Friday to temporarily suspend making music CDs with antipiracy technology that can leave computers vulnerable to hackers."

Who's the genius who thought up that tactic? Fire him. NOW.

Could you imagine a company having a dispute with the U.S. government and deciding to use a similar strategy, leaving our borders open to intruders? Or what about a company using a similar tactic against its corporate customers, leaving their secrets out in the open for others to steal?

I understand the idea of protecting your product. But that's a far cry from boobytrapping your product against consumers who are using it legally.

Record labels need to get with the times. The computer isn't for data processing anymore. It's become a home entertainment system.

There was a poll on CNN.com yesterday asking readers how long they think it will be before their computer becomes their TV as well.

Nine percent said it already is.

Surely that number is a lot higher on the music side. What percentage of U.S. consumers use their computer as a stereo? I guaran-damn-tee you it's higher than the percentage of those whom use theirs as a TV. I suspect the number is above 50%.

And lookie here... what's this? Sony sells computers. Computers with speakers! Check out their VA Series desktops: "All-in-one multimedia center." Well golly freaking gee I wonder what those speakers are for? But they don't want you to play your Sony music through the Sony speakers connected to the Sony computer they sold you?

Unbelievable.