Trial lawyers are in a feeding frenzy over Sony BMG, after it was revealed that their digital rights management software opened up security holes on unsuspecting user's computers. Lawyers in California and New York have already filed class-action lawsuits. Now the Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, has filed a lawsuit against the company alleging violations of the state anti-spyware and consumer protection laws.

"Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak and dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers," Abbott is quoted as saying in a press release on his official Web site. "Consumers who purchased a Sony CD thought they were buying music. Instead, they received spyware that can damage a computer, subject it to viruses and expose the consumer to possible identity crime."

Abbott's suit seeks civil penalties of $100,000 for each violation of the law, attorneys� fees and investigative costs.

In 2004 after more than half a decade of illegal price fixing, the music industry sent yours truly a check for $13.86 as part of an anti-trust music settlement. Ironically, it wasn't even enough to buy a music CD.