Sony MagicGate Memory Stick

I've scoured the internet for any references to "benefit" and "MagicGate." As far as it goes to the end-user, there is NO BENEFIT to MagicGate tech. Avoid it at all costs. The advantage is strictly to the developers of media and applications. That benefit is limited considering that MagicGate is Sony-proprietary. As a developer, you'd have to weigh the cost of Sony licensing compared to what you might lose if someone duplicated software/media.

It seems if you want to break the 128MB barrier, Sony offers it only in MagicGate flavour. The best I was able to find locally was a 128x2 non-MagicGate stick (a 256MB stick with an A-B selector switch, i.e., 128MBx2).

Restricted ability to backup files to PC, other devices, or other sticks. Also, avoid SonicStage's ATRAC3 - another part of the attempt to put the genie back in the bottle.

Lexar sticks, SONY MSA-128, SONY MSA-128S2. All of the above experienced on a Sony Clie PEG-NX73V/U.

Sony MagicGate 128mb Here's what they say about magicgate - "The same benefits as Memory Stick media with the added value of copyright protection technology" Bennefits????? lol they are joking aren't they? Having to get big brother to verify that what your listening to on your mp3 player is legit!!!!! please... this is too much. Based on this pain in the ass experience that no one told me about untill I had got the card home I have changed my choice of digital camera from Sony to HP... I may even get Xbox II instead of PSIII if Sony keeps up with it's corporute bully boy attitude to consumers