Editing MagicGate

{{short description|Copy-protection technology by Sony}}
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[[File:MagicGate logo.svg|thumb|MagicGate logo]]
[[File:メモリースティック PRO,PRO DUO HIGH SPEED.jpg|thumb|Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo supporting MagicGate]]
[[File:PS2-8MB-Mem-Card.jpg|thumb|PlayStation 2 memory card supporting MagicGate]]
'''MagicGate''' (MG) is a [[Digital rights management|copy-protection]] technology introduced by [[Sony]] in 1999 as part of the [[Secure Digital Music Initiative]] (SDMI).<ref name="Sony Global 1999">{{cite web |title=Press Release - Sony Announces Memory Stick™ for Audio Application "Memory StickTM Walkman®" and "MagicGate Memory Stick™" To Be Launched |website=Sony Global |date=September 22, 1999 | url=https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press_Archive/199909/99-072/index.html |access-date=January 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090714023845/http://www.memorystick.com/en/memorystick/feature/index.html#p03 Memory Stick copyright protection technology]</ref> It works by encrypting the content on the device and using MagicGate chips in both the storage device and the reader to enforce control over how files are copied.<ref name="Friedman 2006 p. 297">{{cite book |last=Friedman |first=G. |title=The Complete Guide to Sony's Alpha 100 DSLR |publisher=Gary Friedman |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-9790196-0-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=StPe-U3uYXYC&pg=PA297 |access-date=January 21, 2019 |page=297 |edition=B&W}}</ref>

MagicGate encryption was introduced with Sony's first [[digital audio player]]s, with the related [[OpenMG]] technology being its software counterpart.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.itmedia.co.jp/mobile/0102/26/keyword_3.html |title=Mobile：今週のモバイルキーワード「OpenMG【おーぷんえむじー】」}}</ref> Since then, the encryption has been rolled out to other Sony devices – it is used in the memory cards of the [[PlayStation 2]] and, {{As of|2004|lc=on}}, has been introduced into all of Sony's [[Memory Stick]] products. Some devices will only accept Memory Sticks which use MagicGate technology.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-11-30 |title=Memory cards get skinny |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/20050822/archived-articles/memory-cards-get-skinny |access-date=2023-04-17 |website=RCR Wireless News |language=en-US}}</ref>

All [[Memory Stick Duo]] cards equipped with MagicGate can be identified by a notch located on the rear end of the card.

== Support ==
Few ([[USB]] or [[PC Card]]) Memory Stick-compatible [[memory card reader]]s support secure MagicGate. Although manufacturers list Memory Stick Pro/Pro Duo (MG) compatibility, where MG means MagicGate, they may not support the security portion of MagicGate. This becomes important when purchasing a card reader/writer for use with [[SonicStage]] and [[Sony CONNECT]] as even Sony itself does not fully support MagicGate on certain readers. Non-MagicGate memory card reader/writers do not show up in SonicStage, with the notable exception of Sony Ericsson phones.

Current Sony devices that support MagicGate DRM as of summer 2007:
* Most Memory Stick capable Sony VAIO notebooks and desktops
* [[PlayStation Portable]] – The PlayStation Portable in service mode will only boot to Memory Sticks with MagicGate enabled
* [[PlayStation Vita]] – Used for verifying memory cards and PSP Emulation
* [[PlayStation 3]]
* MSAC-US40 USB Memory Stick Card Reader/Writer
* [[PlayStation 2]]

Current Sony Devices that do not support MagicGate DRM as of summer 2007:
* All U.S. Sony Ericsson phones – most Sony Ericsson phones should show up in SonicStage for [[MP3]]/[[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] transfer
* VGP-MCA10 PCMCIA Card Reader/Writer – does not sport the MagicGate logo
* Sony 17 in 1 Card Reader/Writer MRW62E/S1/181
* Sony [[AVCHD]] camcorders such as HDR-UX5/UX7

Current Sony Devices that do not support MagicGate DRM as of summer 2007, but the support may be possible via future firmware updates:
* [[mylo (Sony)|Mylo]] Personal Communicator – Mylo's 1GB internal memory can be used with SonicStage and supports OpenMG
* [[Sony Reader]] portable e-reader PRS-500 & PRS-600 – may show up in SonicStage for MP3/AAC transfer.

=== State of DRM ===
In March 2009, Sony Electronics announced they were phasing out the Sony CONNECT service in favor of Windows Media Audio & Windows Media DRM, though they have not officially announced plans to continue a Windows Media DRM music service, either. As of June 2009, the future of MagicGate DRM was unknown. MagicGate slots were still a part of the default Vaio configuration as of May 2010.

== See also ==
* [[Memory Stick]]
* [[OpenMG]]
* [[Memory Stick PRO]]
* [[SonicStage]]
* [[Handycam]]
* [[Cyber-shot]]

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Digital rights management systems]]