'No more music CDs without copy protection,' claims BMG unit

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

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From: Monty Solomon <monty () roscom com>

'No more music CDs without copy protection,' claims BMG unit

By John Lettice
Posted: 06/11/2002 at 11:28 GMT

Faced with adverse publicity to copy protection on CDs, a year ago
Bertelsmann Music Group bravely gave in and promised to replace a
clutch of Natalie Imbruglia CDs which were protected by Midbar's
Cactus Data Shield. But a year is a long time, BMG is at it again,
this time apparently set on applying copy protection to all its music
products.

Not, of course, that this should be surprising. The music companies
are absolutely intent on copy-proofing their products, and although
they'll maybe retreat a little when irate consumers pelt them with
ordure, they'll be right back just as soon as the heat dies down. And
here's how this process is working in BMG's case.

A few weeks ago reader Simon Barber accidentally bought a copy of
Paradise Lost's Symbol of Life with Cactus Data Shield on it. The CD
was marked with the Compact Disc logo (although Philips, custodian of
this standard, has objected to its use on copy-protected CDs) and
also had a small print 'health warning' claiming the CD conformed to
the Red Book standard and was playable on standard home CD players.

Being a troublemaker Simon didn't try to get his money back from the
retailer but attacked BMG directly. BMG's first line of defence on
copy protection is here, where you'll find explanations, self
justifications and a mail form for all European territories. The UK
version (and indeed the French - that'll annoy them) says "BMG too
sees itself obliged to protect future releases by implementing a copy
control system" and "BMG will be using copy control technology for
digital media as has been used for a long time with comparable media
such as computer software, video games and DVDs."

...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/27960.html


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