Copy-protection technology was intended to prevent the “ripping”
of CDs, a simple process where an audio CD is played into a
computer and digitally recorded as a sound file which can be
compressed into MP3 format and made available on peer-to-peer
networks, such as KaZaA. The music industry argues that such
networks are damaging CD sales.
Sony’s system was thought by many to be the most advanced
protection yet – earlier attempts proved unsuccessful. Protected
discs, such as Celine Dion’s latest effort, “A New Day Has Come,”
are intended to play on regular audio CD players, but not on
computers. In fact, PCs can crash when the disk is loaded and some
Apple Macintosh users have had to take their computers for
servicing after attempting to play the discs.
However, it appears that the protection is circumvented by
scribbling around the edge of a disk with a felt-tip marker pen, or
applying sticky tape to the edge, thereby hiding a security
track.
Eminem’s latest album, “The Eminem Show,” is also expected to
carry copy protection. However, Reuters reports today that its
release has been brought forward by one week because illegal copies
are already being circulated.
