MagicGate

{{short description|Copy-protection technology by Sony}}

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File:MagicGate logo.svg

File:メモリースティック PRO,PRO DUO HIGH SPEED.jpg

File:PS2-8MB-Mem-Card.jpg

MagicGate (MG) is a copy-protection technology introduced by Sony in 1999 as part of the Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI).{{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}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20090714023845/http://www.memorystick.com/en/memorystick/feature/index.html#p03 Memory Stick copyright protection technology] 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.{{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}}

MagicGate encryption was introduced with Sony's first digital audio players, with the related OpenMG technology being its software counterpart.{{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】」}} 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.{{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}}

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