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Sony Notebook User Guide
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MagicGate
MagicGate refers to the copyright protection technology used by the MagicGate Memory Stick™ and other MagicGate
Memory Stick™ compatible devices.
The Memory Stick™ Walkman and MagicGate Memory Stick™ work together to check the data and ensure it complies
with copyright protection.
If no problems are detected, the data is exchanged in encrypted form; if authentication is not passed, data cannot be
exchanged or played back.
SonicStage
This is a copyright protection technology that is used to manage the digital music content downloaded to the PC from
CDs, the Internet and/or other sources.
Software installed on the PC records music content in encrypted form onto the hard disk. As well as allowing you to
enjoy music on the PC, this technology protects against unauthorized distribution on the Internet. Since it is compatible
with MagicGate, you can use SonicStage to transfer music that you have downloaded onto your PC to your MG Memory
Stick™, and play it back on other Magic Gate-equipped devices and media.
Copyright protection
People who create artistic works such as music are entitled to a "copyright", meaning that they have exclusive rights
to dictate how their work is used. When they are created, artistic works are automatically protected by a copyright
without having to submit notification or registration, and may not be used without the permission of the person who
created the work.
In the music world, however, illegal acts of distributing music without the permission of the artist, particularly on the
Internet, have recently been on the increase. That is why the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) took
the initiative to organize a forum called Secure Music Digital Initiative (SDMI) to study technology for protecting
copyrights during the electronic distribution of music.
Sony offers the MagicGate Memory Stick™ and Memory Stick™ Walkman with a copyright protection function that
complies with SDMI standards, thereby providing an environment where individuals can record and enjoy third-party
music data without worrying about copyright infringement.
Artistic works that are recorded by individuals are permitted for private usage only.