You are here: silicon.com > Software > Operating Systems

Hacker tries to patch it up with Sony over disco dog

Robo dog fans howl over copyright law...

By Lynne Hardy

Published: 9 November 2001 15:52 GMT

A robotic dog enthusiast accused of violating Sony's copyright on its Aibo toy with his dancing dog software says he is certain negotiations are moving towards a compromise.

The hacker, known as Aibopet, published software code on his website, aibopet.com, which allows Sony's robo dog Aibo to dance to music, but Sony threatened legal action against the hacker saying he had violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) by manipulating Aibo's communication settings.

Sony demanded he remove the software information from his site.

A message on aibopet.com reads: "During the protest and negotiation phase, the Aibo part of my site remains closed."

Aibo fans are reacting angrily to Sony's interference. One fan attached a message to Sony's Aibo bulletin board saying Aibopet's software actually added value to the £1,000 product that would otherwise lose the interest of gadget lovers.

Add comment

Print story with

Email story

Sony spawns a new litter of cyber-pups

Sony puts hacker in the dog-house

Sony DRM settlement passes final legal hurdle

Aussies trash Kazaa in court

Grokster and Morpheus 'don't violate US copyright'

In silicon.com

for IT White Papers Newsletter

Commentary

Bob Tarzey Why you must rein in your power users When they do damage, it can be catastrophic to your business

Jon Collins Is losing a mobile device really such a big deal? How to minimise the damage to your business

Latest News

Outsourcing: CIOs' tips on getting it right

Google's Eric Schmidt on search, Android and all things Wave

Revealed: Your favourite Windows operating system

Maemo and Android: Symbian's open source rivals up the pressure

Open source? No good for cost cutting, say CIOs

Jobs

Handset Programme Manager

Proven negotiation and conflict management skills with the ability to resolve issues at all levels of management. Resolve issues blocking acceptance ...

Senior Procurement Specialist

Provide detailed Global Analysis, Marketing Information and Negotiation Project Plan for review and approval o Locally, Initiate spend projects, ...

Senior Project Manager ? Technology Research/Engineering - Loughborough

Responsibility will include contract negotiations with the selected partner company and then ensuring the project is delivered within time, cost and ...

Special Report Focus

Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.