IP: More on The Big Rip-Off / Labels move to block CD audio ripping

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

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From: Paul Davey <paul () pdc co uk>
Date: Mon, 25 Feb 2002 12:30:44 +0000
To: farber () cis upenn edu
Subject: Re: IP: The Big Rip-Off / Labels move to block CD audio ripping

A follow up on the CD "protection racket" topic and to your message on
"The Big Rip-Off / Labels move to block CD audio".

At 17:17 03/02/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> We should return all the "damaged CDs to the dealers for refund . If they have
> the Philips seal they are clearly defective and if they do not then they were
> falsely advertised

Too bad they are only agreeing to label more appropriately - perhaps
that should precude use of the Philips seal as you suggested.

regards
        Paul

http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.asp?RelatedID=2078

 <http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/News/Details.asp?RelatedID=2078>
Copy-protected CD makers lose battle Saturday, 23 February 2002
Makers of a recording by country-pop singer Charley Pride have agreed to
stop tracking most listener habits and to warn consumers that the CD is not
compatible with MP3 and other players, according to attorneys for a woman
who sued the companies.
California resident Karen DeLise sued Music City Records, Fahrenheit
Entertainment and digital rights management company Sunncomm in Marin County
Superior Court in September, alleging that actions they took to exert
control over the album "Charley Pride: A Tribute to Jim Reeves" illegally
violated consumer expectations. The album was the first known copy-protected
CD released in the United States.

Attorneys for DeLise said the companies have agreed to stop tracking
personally identifiable information of listeners, to purge their files of
such information, and to warn consumers that the CD doesn't work in DVD
players, MP3 players or CD-ROM players.

In recent years, entertainment companies have increased their efforts to
shackle music so that free copies of songs will not spread willy-nilly
across the Web as they did in the glory days of song-swapping site Napster

However, some customers and consumer groups have protested the moves, saying
they illegally restrict those who have no intention of breaking the law.

"I am very satisfied with the settlement we obtained for the benefit of the
General Public," DeLise said in a statement announcing the settlement. "I
applaud Music City and Sunncomm in deciding to resolve this case and to give
consumers better notice so consumers can make an informed decision as to
whether they want to purchase such functionally impaired CDs."

Representatives for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests
for comment. 




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