The major labels of the recording industry are testing yet another new DRM based anti-piracy measure for audio CDs. This technology would allow a limited number of copies like that of purchasing downloadable music. However unlike online music services, the software also infects the recorded audio CDs with copy-protection measures to prevent them from being copied.
With this DRM implementation, the recording industry aims overcome the controversial issue of locked CDs by allowing consumers to make a limited number of copies for their music such as for the car, backup and so on, but still prevent unlimited replication to discourage users from making further copies for friends, giving away and so on.
SunnComm and Macrovision say that their DRM implementation for Audio CDs could also be applied to the software used for online music services such as Napster. While present software only allows the consumer to make a limited number of CD-burns of a given song, it does nothing to prevent the user from ripping the unprotected recorded song back off the recorded CDs to make further replications. However this new Audio CD protection system aims to overcome this loophole.
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Tools under review by the major labels would limit the number of backups that could be made from ordinary compact discs and prevent copied, or "burned," versions from being used to create further copies, according to Macrovision and SunnComm International, rivals that are developing competing versions of the digital rights management (DRM) software. SunnComm said a version of its new "secure burning" technology is already being tested by BMG Music Group, the world's fifth-largest record label and the most aggressive to date in pushing CD copy protection schemes in the United States. Macrovision's version is expected to be ready in the next few months. Read the full article here. |
So far, no Audio CD protection system has proved all that successful. Issues includes not being able to play CDs in certain CD players and car stereos or not being able to copy music to the PC to build a virtual jukebox. BMG thought they had it right last time by placing 'autorun' software on the CD that would run upon loading the CD and disable the ability to rip the CD. However a Princeton student demonstrated that simply holding down the shift key while loading the CD prevented the CD from 'auto-running' and thus bypassed the protection measure.
The labels including BMG say that they are still happy with their protection despite this issue as it would still deter the majority of casual users.
Feel free to discuss about CD copy protection measures on our Copy Protection Discussion Forum.
Source: CNET News - The Net
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