MagicGate

MagicGate logo

Memory Stick Pro and Memory Stick Pro Duo supporting MagicGate

PlayStation 2 memory card supporting MagicGate

MagicGate (MG) was a copy-protection technology introduced by Sony in 1999 as part of the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI).^[1][2] It worked 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 could be copied.^[3]

MagicGate encryption was introduced with Sony's first digital audio players, with the related OpenMG technology being its software counterpart.^[4] Since then, the encryption has been rolled out to other Sony devices – it is used in the memory cards of the PlayStation 2 and, by 2004, was introduced into all of Sony's Memory Stick products. Some devices only accepted Memory Sticks which supported MagicGate.^[5]

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 readers 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.

Sony devices which supported MagicGate included:

• Memory Stick capable Sony VAIO notebooks and desktops
• PlayStation 2
• PlayStation 3
• 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
• MSAC-US40 USB Memory Stick Card Reader/Writer

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. MagicGate slots were still a part of the default Vaio configuration as of May 2010.^{[needs update]}

See also

• Memory Stick
• OpenMG
• Memory Stick PRO
• SonicStage
• Handycam
• Cyber-shot

References

1. "Press Release - Sony Announces Memory Stick™ for Audio Application "Memory StickTM Walkman®" and "MagicGate Memory Stick™" To Be Launched". Sony Global. September 22, 1999. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
2. Memory Stick copyright protection technology
3. Friedman, G. (2006). The Complete Guide to Sony's Alpha 100 DSLR (B&W ed.). Gary Friedman. p. 297. ISBN 978-0-9790196-0-9. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
4. "Mobile：今週のモバイルキーワード「OpenMG【おーぷんえむじー】」".
5. "Memory cards get skinny". RCR Wireless News. 1999-11-30. Retrieved 2023-04-17.