Sony BMG has introduced music CDs with new copy-protection that creates ripped files in WMA format, which, of course, is incompatible with iTunes and iPods, leaving millions of users unable to get the music into their playeers. SonyBMG says it is attempting to limit "schoolyard" burning; each disc can be ripped only three times. Excluding iPod users is the most foolish of all possible marketing tactics, and the label reportedly offers a workaround to customers who e-mail a complaint. Perhaps the proper complaining method is clarified in the CD packaging; the Sony BMG site offers no useful contact information, and Googling an address provides no joy. Sadly, the Dave Matthews Band (historically a fan-friendly, share-friendly act) is embroiled in this fiasco, but happily the group's Web site offers instructions to iPod users here (scroll down to find the ASP link).
New SonyBMG Discs Rip to WMA: iTunes Excluded
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Gotta love it... "Schoolyard burning", that's great. It's precisely those kids who are all over Xanga and MySpace right now trading info on how to get past this copy protection.
Posted at 5:58AM on Dec 19th 2005 by whiplash
3. You might want to link straight to this:
http://www.davematthewsband.com/news/news_popup_IPod.asp
For their 'HTML site' to have that much Javascript encrusting it is just heinous.
Posted at 5:58AM on Dec 19th 2005 by HTML Site Indeed!
4. I am conducting a survey of the companies I have bought audio CD's from in the past (AMazon.com, BMG Music Service, Overstock.com, and Musical Heritage Society) in order to find out which ones will tell me IN ADVANCE which of the CD's they sell have copy protection that would prevent my using the CD's. If you want to see what I have learned so far, go here:
http://ddmcd.squarespace.com/living-with-technology/2005/6/19/online-music-sales-and-crippled-cds.html
If you know of any online vendors that ARE making this type of info available, please let me know and I shall post it.
Posted at 5:58AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Dennis McDonald
5. I am conducting a survey of the companies I have bought audio CD's from in the past (AMazon.com, BMG Music Service, Overstock.com, and Musical Heritage Society) in order to find out which ones will tell me IN ADVANCE which of the CD's they sell have copy protection that would prevent my using the CD's. If you want to see what I have learned so far, go here:
http://ddmcd.squarespace.com/living-with-technology/2005/6/19/online-music-sales-and-crippled-cds.html
If you know of any online vendors that ARE making this type of info available, please let me know and I shall post it.
Posted at 5:58AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Dennis McDonald
1. Because the iPod won't play ripped songs from these CDs, and because 80% of people with portable players use iPods, this type of copy protection will make people even less likely to buy CDs in the future. If people can't rip the CDs into their computer for use on whatever music application they want, then they are going to be wary when they see a new CD on the shelf....always wondering if it has this type of copy protection on it. While this type of copy-protection might theoretically slow down schoolyard piracy, it's a great way to make the average CD buyer even less likely to buy CDs for fear it might have certain copy restrictions that will be annoying. The schoolyard kids that make mixed CDs probably aren't thinking about buying CDs anyways, and will find the songs they want on the P2P sites. So the labels aren't really going to prevent schoolyard piracy much, but they might be really hampering future CD sales. Silly.
www.adambrotman.blogs.com
Posted at 5:58AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Adam Brotman