The Sony "rootkit" fiasco

Was everyone out to lunch on the day Sony came up with this brilliant plan? The v.p. for public relations must not have been around because anyone in that position would immediately ask how such a system would be perceived by the company's clients. The v.p. for technology just not have been in the office that day because anyone in that position would have pointed out the dangers inherent in the scheme. The v.p. for legal affairs must have been home sick because anyone in that position would have immediately recognized the liability the company would face.

In the past, I've purchased quite a bit of Sony hardware and some of the company's CDs. Although I won't say that I'll never purchase anything with the Sony or BMG name on it, I do know that it's going to be quite some time before I even consider it.

When will companies learn that copy protection inconveniences high-volume pirates not at all? When will they realize that schemes such as this one hurt only the people who have chosen to play by the rules and buy the company's products?