Apple (R)ejects Copy Protection

Frogbeater writes "Apple keeps on keeping on with the anti-copy protection crowd by using their technical info database as a platform for denouncing the artists who are getting on the bandwagon." I like this line from the technote: You may be unable to eject certain copy-protected audio discs, which resemble Compact Discs (CD) but technically are not. Indeed.

Comments

TiBook CD/DVD eject issue

[ubiquitin]

So that's why those CD's weren't ejecting! ;) For the uninitiated, shift-Command-1 on Macs does a force media eject.

Go Apple!

[mkoz]

It is important to make these stands.

>The audio discs are technically and legally not Compact Discs (CD format)

I am not sure how much this will really matter in the end, but apple's stance on Rip. Mix. Burn. Has been impressive and I wish them the best. Since I do firmly believe that fair use does mean I can play it on my computer and put it on an mp3 player.

Danger Will Robinson...

[h0tblack]

...using come copy-protected cd's in the new flat-panel iMacs can be a VERY expensive mistake. Certain cd's cause the cd drive to jam and then the machine refuses to reboot. This means you have to take it to an Apple Dealer (or do it yourself it you know what your doing) to take the thing apart and manually wind the eject cogs. Seems there's no option for the good old fashioned paper-clip trick with these drives.
More details here:
http://uk.eurorights.org/issues/cd/docs/cel dion.sh tml

Re:Danger Will Robinson...

[tarkap]

You can still do the paperclip trick on a SuperDrive iMac though. Stick it in the right slot under the cd tray.

I just looked at the cdrw model, and yup.. no hole likes the paper clip trick :(

thanks apple.

Re:Danger Will Robinson...

[gerardrj]

I do believe the old "mouse button down on boot" trick still works to eject all removable media at boot.
This is a firmware thing, so it should work before the OS even attempts to search for a boot drive.

No?

Getting the CD Out

[The Donald]

I'm worried for all the people out there who are not all that techo savy. If the CD will not eject, then they'll either have to take it out themselves, or bring it to an Apple Repair Shop. Quoting Apple's support page on this:

If a disc with copyrighted protection technology remains inside the drive after following the procedures above, or if the computer does not start up normally, it is recommended that you contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Apple Technical Support. CD audio discs that incorporate copyright protection technologies do not adhere to published Compact Disc standards. Apple designs its CD drives to support media that conforms to such standards. Apple computers are not designed to support copyright protected media that do not conform to such standards. Therefore, any attempt to use non standard discs with Apple CD drives will be considered a misapplication of the product. Under the terms of Apple's One-Year Limited Warranty, AppleCare Protection Plan, or other AppleCare agreement any misapplication of the product is excluded from Apple's repair coverage. Because the Apple product is functioning correctly according to its design specifications, any fee assessed by an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple for repair service will not be Apple's responsibility.

Now, for a new user. If you go to Best Buy and puck up a copy of Celine Dion: "A New Day Has Come" (Don't know why, but that's a different story), it will look like a CD, smell like a CD, so to the average user, it's a CD. Just becuase the Disc doesn't have the Compact Disc Logo on it wont mean people will undersand that it's really not a CD.

I think a lot of new users will think Apple is at fault for adhearing to the standards; and expect the problem to be fixed at no cost to them.

Re:Request for clarification

[GORDOOM]

My understanding is that the Red Book standard defines the Compact Disc: Digital Audio format specifically. In other words, Red Book specifically defines, not the Compact Disc, but the format used to store audio data on a compact disc, thus making it an "Audio CD." It is this standard to which the "copy-protected CDs" do not comply. For this reason, they can be properly called CDs, but not "Compact Disc: Digital Audio," and so cannot bear Philips's logo.

Again, if I'm wrong, please correct me.

Re:Request for clarification

[foniksonik]

This is related to the IP involved and the fact that the two owners of the Trademark Compact Disk are Phillips and (some company i can't recall at the moment, maybe Sony).

If the owners of the TM don't want to license it to the Copyright Protected Disk manufacturers then their products can't be called CDs.

That's what I know about it.

Easy way to disable most CD copy protection system

[Lars T.]

Articles (A) and (B) (both in German, with pictures). Simply use a felt tip pen or a Post It (may come lose, so watch out) to cover up the start of the "bad" track. Currently works with all CD copy protection systems but "MediaCloq", including "Cactus Data Shield" and "Key2Audio" (the one Sony uses).