BMG and Sunncomm to issue copy-protected CD September 23
Posted on 12/09/03 14:57 by Dan Bell                             
BMG and Sunncomm to issue copy-protected CD September 23
cdfree used our news submit to give us a heads up that according to Raging Bull forums, Arista Records is teaming up with Sunncomm to release a copy protected CD music album. Of particular interest may be the fact that inserting the album into a PC allegedly not only produces music, but it also gets busy writing to your hard drive in order to limit the amount of times you can burn to a CD. Wow! All this and it only costs $ 13.95!

Arista Records is to be the first BMG Entertainment-owned label to release a commercial copy-protected CD in the U.S., Bulletin has learned. According to sources, the technology will be used on the CD "Comin' From Where I'm From" by singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton, set for release Sept. 23. Until now, BMG's U.S. labels have used copy-protection technology only on promotional discs. The Hamilton CD will feature technology from Phoenix-based SunnComm Inc. and will be compatible for playback on nearly all CD players, DVD players, car stereos, PCs, Macs and game consoles. Owners of the album will be able to transfer the music to a secure portable device and burn three copies to a CD-R.

In the forum it goes on to say; In addition, according to sources, the disc will feature technology that allows owners of the album to e-mail links to the music to friends. Recipients of the links will be able to download the tracks and listen to them for 10 days. The album will be labeled to inform consumers of the technology and its uses. 

Maybe if consumers stay away in droves, Arista and Anthony will see where "We are comin' from." 

Source: ragingbull.lycos.com

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By cdfree, Friday 12 September 2003 15:52
This release must be to guage reaction only and may just be a test. They must be expecting lots of problems. This is from SunnComm's support web site. BMG & SunnComm MediaMax FAQ: Can I get a copy of this CD without the copy management protection?: No, copies of this CD are not being made available without copy management technology. Why has BMG placed copy management technology on this CD?: BMG has implemented a copy management system to safeguard the rights of our artists and copyright holders by preventing the unauthorized duplication and illegal Internet distribution of our content. Is this CD playable on my computer?: Yes, similar to other software and games, usage of the CD on your computer does require your acceptance of the end user license agreement and installation of specific software contained on the CD. It also requires your computer to be appropriately configured. Please review the Systems Requirements documented on the package of the CD you are trying to play. How do I play this CD on my computer?: Place the CD in your computer´s CD-Rom drive. Allow the disc time to start (no more than a minute), accept the end user license agreement and the music should begin to play! My computer will not play the CD. What can I do to listen to the music on my computer?: First check to ensure your computer meets or exceeds the Minimum System Requirements as outlined on the package of the CD you are trying to play. This is important, as the CD relies on several system components from the operating system and Windows Media Player. Typically the problem is due to an incompatible Windows Media Player and can be remedied by upgrading your version of the Windows Media Player. If necessary, upgrade your Windows Media Player software and restart the CD. * You may also attempt to start the CD manually by doing the following * PC Users - ~ Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop ~ Double-click the drive letter that has the CD loaded (the drive should also have the band logo next to it) ~ Depending on your operating system the CD might start to play, if not, double-click on the file named Launchcd.exe ~ This should begin the process of delivering the digital keys required to enjoy the CD on your computer Mac Users - ~ Locate the CD-volume icon on your desktop with the name of your CD ~ Double-click the icon to open a window ~ Locate the icon named Start in the window ~ Double-click on the Start icon ~ This should begin the process of delivering the digital keys required to enjoy the CD on your computer What should I do if the program does not automatically start when I place the CD in my computer?: First, remove the CD from the CD-Rom drive and insert it again. This should allow the computer to restart the CD. * If the application still does not start by itself, try the following * PC Users - ~ Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop ~ Double-click the drive letter that has the CD loaded (the drive should also have the band logo next to it) ~ Depending on your operating system the CD might start to play, if not, double-click on the file named Launchcd.exe ~ This should begin the process of delivering the digital keys required to enjoy the CD on your computer Mac Users - ~ Locate the CD-volume icon on your desktop with the name of your CD ~ Double-click the icon to open a window ~ Locate the icon named Start in the window ~ Double-click on the Start icon ~ This should begin the process of delivering the digital keys required to enjoy the CD on your computer After I accept the end user license agreement, I am told my computer is not appropriately configured and requires an Internet connection. Why do I need an Internet connection to listen to the CD on my computer?: To enjoy the music and bonus features (if available) of this CD on your computer, a set of digital keys are required. These digital keys can be delivered to your computer directly from the CD if your computer meets or exceeds the Minimum System Requirements outlined on the CD packaging. If your computer does not at least meet the Minimum System Requirements, there are two options to play the music on your computer: ~ Digital keys compatible with your system configuration may be deliverable via the Internet. Make sure you are connected to the Internet and press the Continue button on the message. ~ You may also upgrade your version of Windows Media Player to a version that meets or exceeds the version identified in the Minimum System Requirements on the CD packaging. If you are connected to the Internet you may click here to be taken to a web site where you can download a new Windows Media Player. Once you have installed an appropriate version of the Windows Media Player, you can insert the CD into your CD-Rom drive to re-start the digital key delivery process. When the CD tries to get the digital keys via the Internet, I receive a web page with the message that the server may be busy or Internet traffic too high. How can I get the digital keys necessary to play the CD on my computer? When the CD tries to get the digital keys via the Internet, I receive a web page with the message that the server may be busy or Internet traffic too high. How can I get the digital keys necessary to play the CD on my computer?: Check to make sure you are connected to the internet and try the following - Remove the CD from your computer's CD-Rom drive Open your Windows Media Player Click the Tools menu then choose Options Click the Privacy tab Check the box next to "Acquire licenses automatically for protected content" Click Okay Close Windows Media Player Insert the CD in your CD-Rom drive and the digital keys should now be delivered When I try to play the CD on my computer the music skips and/or is distorted. What is wrong with the CD? When I try to play the CD on my computer the music skips and/or is distorted. What is wrong with the CD? : Nothing is wrong with your CD. The CD is designed to play on a computer using secure digital files pre-loaded on the CD. After the digital keys are successfully delivered for the music, these files can be played in two ways - First, try placing the CD in your computer´s CD-Rom drive and allowing the CD to auto start. Once the disc auto starts and the digital keys have been delivered, the music will begin to play. If the CD does not auto start, try the following... PC Users - ~ Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop ~ Double-click the drive letter that has the CD loaded (the drive should also have the band logo next to it) ~ Depending on your operating system the CD might start to play, if not, double-click on the file named Launchcd.exe ~ This should begin the process of delivering the digital keys required to enjoy the CD on your computer Mac Users - ~ Locate the CD-volume icon on your desktop with the name of your CD ~ Double-click the icon to open a window ~ Locate the icon named Start in the window ~ Double-click on the Start icon ~ This should begin the process of delivering the digital keys required to enjoy the CD on your computer (As an added feature of the MediaMax enhanced CD, these digital files can be played directly from your computer without the original CD present. You are encouraged to copy the secure digital music files to your computer and enjoy the music without the need for the original CD. This can be accomplished by using the Copy Songs button on the main user interface (main screen) when the CD is loaded. Use this function to copy the songs to your favorite music directory on your computer. These files can then be played using your software player and may even be added to your favorite playlist.) When I place the CD in my computer´s CD-Rom drive, I get the error message "CD3 Launch Error". What does this mean and how can I fix it?: This error message can mean several things. The first place to start is by comparing your system configuration with the Minimum System Requirements identified on the CD you are trying to play. If your system does meet or exceed the System Requirements, you should check the following: Check to make sure the Index.hta file located on the CD (in the root directory) is properly associated with the Microsoft HTML Application. You can check this by doing the following: ~ Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop ~ If necessary, select the Tools menu and then Folder Options… ~ Select the File Types tab at the top ~ Locate the HTA extension ~ Confirm the HTA extension is associated with Microsoft HTML Application If the HTA extension does not appear in the list, add the extension by doing the following: ~ Click the New button ~ Type 'HTA" in the File Extension field ~ Click Ok ~ HTA should now show up in the list If the file is not associated with Microsoft HTML Application, change the association by doing the following: ~ Highlight the HTA extension ~ Click the Change button ~ Click on Microsoft HTML Application from the list If 'Microsoft HTML Application" is not available, add the entry by doing the following: ~ Select the Other or Browse button ~ Browse to your main Windows directory (typically C:Windows) ~ Browse to directory System32 ~ Locate and select program mshta or mshta.exe Is any personal information collected from my computer while using this CD?: No information is ever collected about you or your computer without you consenting. http://www.sunncomm.com/support/bmg/
By cdfree, Friday 12 September 2003 16:00
SunnComm say the CD is protected by a file loaded on to the PC when the CD is played. The CD itself is not encrypted or altered in any way. Problem solved. Just stop autoload and you have a very naked CD. I give it 10 minutes to be hacked.Smilie
By Crabbyappleton, Friday 12 September 2003 16:51
CrabbyappletonLooks like if you want to listen to this CD. No problem as long as you are running Windows. puke
By cdfree, Friday 12 September 2003 17:22
Macs will play it, but it must be Windows Media format. I only use RN.puke
By StrongBad, Friday 12 September 2003 20:44
hah! According to the most recent survey I read, 50% of America alone is NOT online, so basically they CANNOT play this CD on their PC, yeah, thats really gonna help sales puke
By sorti, Friday 12 September 2003 21:01
sortiIf you buy the CD and it don't work what are you gonna do? Return it? I think not, no one lets you return things anymore. Just wait for someone else to post it on-line and get it then.
By Refrenz, Friday 12 September 2003 22:13
If the music industry geniuses continue this type of thing they should be fully prepared to watch CD sales drop further. CD protection is a slap in the face to people who buy CDs, who are essentially being told by record companies 'Even though you have been honest by buying our product, we don't trust you'. Tossers.
By Sherrif, Saturday 13 September 2003 03:50
Make 3 copies ???......shared tracks last 10 days......then what ..it self destructs ala mission impossible ??.... Don't give up yer day job tony..who ever you are (pardon my ignorance).........cool
By cdfree, Saturday 13 September 2003 05:07
You don't need to be online to play it if you meet the minimum PC configuration from the way I read it. But I am sure many don't meet that minimum PC configuration and many in particulat will refuse to upgrade to the minimum if it means installing Windows Media.
By cdfree, Saturday 13 September 2003 08:05
Does anyone understand this bit from the SunnComm support page: ~ Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop ~ If necessary, select the Tools menu and then Folder Options… ~ Select the File Types tab at the top ~ Locate the HTA extension ~ Confirm the HTA extension is associated with Microsoft HTML Application What is a HTA file and what other applications would it normally be associated with other than Microsoft HTML. In other words, is the user being forced to change preferences to a Microsoft application over a competitive appplication in order to play the CDFrown
By DVDRWMAN, Monday 15 September 2003 04:38
Let me get this straight. You can still make copies..... YES You can still share files.........YES You can get extra bonus material.....YES It sounds to me like you can do everything you can do right now on a CD that isn't copy protected. It is only a managed way of giving you the same access. Why is this bad? This sounds like the best strategy for implementing a copy protection method I have heard of to date. They seem very intent on allowing consumers to do what they do now, only legally. Again, why is this bad? Maybe if you don't like windows media it is bad, but just about all programs out there allow you to playback windows media files, not just windows media player. It sounds to me like the second session data is just controlled by some windows media program to download the songs to your PC?? This certainly is better then not allowing you to copy any of the tracks to your hard drive, which is what Macrovision's protection does now.
By cdfree, Monday 15 September 2003 10:14
DVDRWMAN It is more sinister than that. Before you can play the music on your PC you are forced to accept a license agreement that allows Arista to download a file on to your PC that will not be removed when you finish playing and remove the CD. I want to play the CD on my computer and not be forced to install anything I do not want to. I cannot make copies that are normal audio CDs. The CDs that I am allowed burn contain only the low quality WM audio files that are on the original. I can't burn a normal audio CD. I cannot do what I want to do now. I never use Windows Media and have built up substantial collections of my favorite music in RN format. Why should I be forced to use WM, when that is not my preference. I agree that it is a step up from some implementations, but it comes nowhere near what is needed. I want to make backup copies of the original audio CD and store in my music library compressed versions of the tracks at the bit rate I find delivers the best quality and in the format I want. It doesn't allow that. The WM files are all that can be copied and burned and they are at a low quality bit rate. I don't want to pirate the music, but I don't want to be dictated to as to what I use and I don't want to be forced to install some anti-piracy code in my PC to just enjoy the music I purchased.
By Saruman, Monday 15 September 2003 14:20
If all you want to do is copy the music, it seems to me that the quickest, easiest defeat to the protection scheme (assuming you have enough HD space) is to use your stereo CD player to play the CD into your computer's sound card and write the music to your HD. Then take the resulting file and burn it to a CD-R making future backups possible. I'm sure someone'll write a ripper program to take out the music portion, but until then I do not see how this protection keeps you from doing things the long way.
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