Copy Protected CDs
By: Nevra Azerkan
As many of you have already found out, many record labels are now copy
protecting the CDs they distribute. Introducing the new content protected
disc which is the newest device that the recording industry has thrown
out in order to stop the illegal distribution of music.
Now when you pop in the newest CD from your favorite band you may encounter
one of the following: 1. A copyright agreement might pop up on your
screen letting you know that you won't be able to transfer the songs
on the album to your computer. 2. Nothing happens. Your computer won't
even be able to read the disc. These discs have been watermarked. The
watermark is encoded in the audio data and attempting to remove it will
tamper with the quality and the sound. 3. You're able to play the CD
on your computer, but you are limited in the number of times you may
transfer the songs onto various computers and the number of times you
can burn any of the songs onto compilations. These new devices will
be able to help labels track down who is pirating their material.
Sony BMG Music Entertainment and EMI Music are two of those companies
who have taken on this new trend. They say this content protection won't
hurt sales, but I'm not so sure about that. Putting a limit on burning
these songs won't allow us to make as many mix CDs for ourselves and
for our friends. If we make more than 10 copies throughout the year
it doesn't mean we are pirating, it means we want a new play list to
listen to. However, for most of the discs you may only burn them up
to 3 times. This also means we may not be able to transfer songs from
the discs onto our iPods.
We purchased the music why can't we listen to it in our own convenient
way? At this rate, many people are solely going to rely on downloading
the music whether it is in the legal or illegal way just as long as
they can get it on their computer.
If the CD has content protection it will say so in a label on the disc.
I found this out when trying to review an advance copy of Kelly Osbourne's
new album "Sleeping in the Nothing" which was released on
Sanctuary Records. Tagged all over the CD and the case was the following:
Please be advised.
These CDs are watermarked and will not play in your computers.
They will only play in regular stereos.
Watermarked CD
This record has been marked with a specific identification code
in order to trace unauthorized use thereof.
Including usage on the internet and other digital replications.
Sanctuary Records hereby reserves the rights at law or in equity
to this record and all materials embodied thereon.
Copy Protected: This CD is protected against unauthorized copying.
It is designed to play in standard audio CD players.
It is not designed to play in computers.
Playback problems may also be experienced with
car systems, DVD players and game consoles.
Yep, I tried playing the CD on a computer, DVD player and a car CD
player. Neither of them could play it. Most people don't even play their
music in their home stereos. The iPod has also become the newest and
most popular music playing device. These companies are said to be working
with Apple in order to make the discs compatible with the iPod, but
that could take time that we don't have.
The music industry may think they have a hold on this, but their plan
may just backfire. We're all aware that they have to draw the line somewhere,
but they have drawn it way past the reasonable amount. This has gone
past the stage of protecting the artists' music. Now, they are in the
territory of fiddling with our soon to become purchased product.
Once you buy a car you can change the tires, tint the windows and add
satellite radio. The automobile industry has not stopped customers from
altering their car. Why? Because they bought it and it is THEIR car.
If customers weren't able to do these alterations to do their cars they
probably wouldn't be happy with them and might even turn to other car
companies who do allow it.
If we buy a CD we should be allowed to transfer it to our iPod's and
make our mix CDs. Why? Because we bought it to enjoy it. Otherwise we're
going to turn to other sources to get what we want and then we are back
to what started this mess to begin with.
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