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BMG Backs Down Over Copy-Protected CD

An anonymous submitter sends in: "As reported by The Register, on the 5th of November, BMG released the UK's first copy-protected CD (more information on Eurorights and Fat Chuck's). It uses Cactus Data Shield by Midbar Tech, which aims to prevent CD to CD or digital CD to Minidisc copying, along with converting to MP3, but may have other bad side effects." The submitter continues: "There were complaints from fans and many took their CDs back or wrote to the record company and record shops. Their hard work seems to have paid off since Virgin Megastores has responded to a complaint from one of their customers and said that BMG has set up a helpline to allow people who bought the corrupt version, to exchange it for a real one. Virgin and HMV will also be bringing in new stock of uncorrupted CDs. The message was originally posted to the Official Natalie Imbruglia Bulletin Board (free registration required) in the "White Lies" and "Lillies vs Cactus" threads, but several threads containing complaints against Cactus Data Shield have been deleted so the email has been mirrored on the Free-sklyarov-uk mailing list. This is very good news, but more work needs to be done. Hopefully with pressure from the public other retailers will follow Virgin's example. Also record companies need to be made clear that selling copy protected CDs, that infringe on the public's rights, is not acceptable. The battle isn't over until no new CDs are shipped in these formats so if you find a CD that is copy-protected then report it on Eurorights for the UK, or Fat Chucks for elsewhere, take it back to the shop, and let them, and the record company know your feelings on the issue."

2 of 200 comments (clear)

  1. Re:METEOR! by Dynedain · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Unfortuneately some (like those of us in Los Angeles) can't see it due to weather conditions (what the hell is this? fog? in LA?!?!) and/or the wonderfull joy called Light Pollution (what officer? my headlight's weren't on? are they now? I still can't tell)

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    I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
  2. Re:Kind of redundant [And OT at this point] by UberOogie · · Score: 1, Offtopic
    I have a co-worker who is a big Michael Jackson...

    I know it is a typo, but it reminds me of that Simpsons episode where the big, white mental patient thought he was Michael Jackson.

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    "Enough of this wretched, whining monkey life." -- Marcus Aurelius, _Meditations_, Book 9, 37