Sony BMG rootkit victims urged to claim free money

Sony BMG will exchange CDs loaded with the rootkit and is offering a $7.50 cash payment and one free album download

Consumers who bought Sony BMG CDs that were loaded with the firm's now infamous rootkit are being encouraged to claim the compensation awarded by the courts. 

Under the terms of the settlement Sony BMG will exchange CDs loaded with the rootkit for DRM-free discs. Customers will also be offered a $7.50 cash payment and one free album download, or no cash and three album downloads.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has set up a section on its website to speed up claims, and is urging everyone who bought a rootkit CD to apply for compensation. 

"Submitting a claim lets fans get music that will play on their computers without restriction or security risk, and lets Sony BMG know that consumers care about this issue," said the group in a statement. 

"And for those who have not yet protected their computers, it's long past time to download the uninstallers that will sweep that DRM off their systems and eliminate its dangerous security risks."

Malware that exploited the rootkit appeared shortly after the existence of the software was revealed. 

The EFF has also published a list of the CDs which contained the rootkit. The list included popular artists such as Britney Spears, Celine Dion and David Gray.