"We have never been in a position where our music has caused harm; we feel extremely sad and angry that we have caused our fans distress with what we intended would bring you joy. We will do everything in our power to remedy this unfortunate series of events. Please keep emailing us and we will continue working to resolve this problem with the CD."

That's part of a message on the Carlos Santana web site.

Sony BMG's disastrous attempt to sneak DRM (Digital Restriction Software) onto customers' computer without them knowing will hit it where it hurts - squarely on the bottom line, and during the lucrative Christmas season at that. Nor will it be alone. Brother members of the Organized Music gang, Vivendi Universal, Warner Music and EMI, will also feel the pain.

The debacle has turned a huge number of people, better known as 'product consumers,' off - people such as Beverly Hamilton, a former enthusiastic BMG fan.

But they're not the only ones affected.

Carlos Santana's All That I Am is one of the CDs poisoned by Sony BMG's attempts to control users with spyware.

Now, when you go to his web site the first thing you see isn't a Santana promo. It's "Information regarding copy protection and how to uninstall".

There's also a profuse apology to fans from Santana's wife, Deborah >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Message from Deborah regarding Copyright protection

Dear Santana Fans and purchasers of the "All That I Am CD":

We want you to know we have read every email telling us that the software on the new CD (put on by the record company) has hurt or damaged your computers or operating systems. First and most importantly, Carlos has no control over whether copy protection is used on his records or what system is chosen. We nonetheless feel an obligation to all of you and offer our apology for this entire situation. The copy protection on "All That I Am" is not the XCP software that has been in the news, but we are urgently investigating whether the protection actually used carries any threat.

We are pressing our record company to provide us with CDs that do not contain any copy protection to replace the ones you have purchased and we are trying to get facts and answers for every one of you.

We have never been in a position where our music has caused harm – we feel extremely sad and angry that we have caused our fans distress with what we intended would bring you joy. We will do everything in our power to remedy this unfortunate series of events. Please keep emailing us and we will continue working to resolve this problem with the CD.

Sincerely,
Deborah Santana

Also read:-
Beverly Hamilton - The real p2p pirates and thieves, November 18, 2005

Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don't buy their 'product'. Do bug your local political representatives. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you're into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep's doorstep, making sure you've contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance.