Copy-protected CD Tops U.S. Charts

Joey Patterson writes "CNET is reporting that Velvet Revolver's new album, 'Contraband', which is protected with SunnComm's anti-copying technology, has topped the U.S. album charts. The SunnComm and BMG execs quoted in the article say that they're pleased with the apparent consumer acceptance of the anti-piracy technology, but they have been hearing questions about how people can get the copy-blocked songs from the CD onto an iPod."

Comments

Re:But..

[zors]

RTFA. There is a sticker on the CD that its copy protected.

Re:right...

[tiptone]

running Fedora Core 2, gnome-cd wouldn't play it and grip couldn't rip it. though XMMS played it just fine using the CD Audio Player 1.2.10 [libcaudio.so], and XMMS does have a Disk Writer Plugin sooooo i think that's pretty much copy-protection broken with no new software needed.

This is TRIVIAL to bypass

[Anonymous Coward]

The CD isn't really protected in any way.

According to the article, it has anti-copying software (read: spyware) that installs automatically using Windows Autoplay if you insert the CD into your Windows PC, but the CD isn't otherwise protected.

So if you have Autoplay turned off, or use Linux or a Mac, or simply hold down Shift while you insert the CD, you can rip the files fine. This workaround has been known since last October, when the SunnComm copy "protection" system was first introduced.

Re:This is TRIVIAL to bypass

[keefey]

I've not found one yet that installs without saying anything. Normally it says "this CD needs to install an upgrade to function" (or something along those lines), with a cancel button. Pressing cancel stops the install.

Perhaps they've only done that on EU ones though. I'd be bloody livid if I found soemthing sneakily installed.

Re:What shits me...

[Trillan]

In this case, the CD uses MediaMax protection. MediaMax protection does not involve any of the tricks you listed.

See this article for a description of MediaMax.

Defeating the SunnComm protection.

[bigwayne]

I'm not sure if this has been posted, nor am I sure if I'm breaking any laws by posting it. If I am, I'm sorry, and before the mods delete this post, its wrong to install stuff on computers without asking, its just common sense.

1. Insert the CD and let the software run if you haven't already.

2. Remove the CD and restart your computer without the CD installed.

3. Enter the Device Manager (Right-click on My Computer-> Properties-> Hardware Tab-> Device Manager.

4. From the View menu, select Devices by Connection, then select Show Hidden Devices.

5. Scroll down and find the device called "SbcpHid", right-click and DISABLE it.

6. Close Device Manager, Windows should ask you to reboot, say Yes.

This will disable the protection, allowing you to listen to the CD using Windows Media Player, you can even rip the songs to MP3 for backup without the garble.

Re:Can EAC copy it?

[The-Bus]

Well, here's what I can surmise so far...

The CD has an auto-load software (which loads seemingly even when you ask windows to NOT load it for you). Software asks you to agree or disagree to a EULA. If you disagree it ejects the CD. If you agree (I haven't) it presumably installs some sort of mal-ware.

If you let it auto-load it will load the software into memory, even once you take the CD out (and will probably do so whenever you accept the EULA* and it installs permanently).

The apparent workaround I found for Windows was just to have the CD in the drive and reboot. No loading, EAC extracts it just fine without errors. This, (pay attention RCA Records / BMG ) then lets me have fair use the CD as my rights and the law allow . The CD I bought, I can now listen to on my computer. What does this do?

Well, let's see. I can:
1. Download the album. (Very easy)
2. Buy the CD (difficult but I do it because I want to support the artists). Then spend an extra 5-15 minutes to see how to circumvent it? Don't make my choice easier.

Here's some info from the back of the CD (which I have in my lap right now): "Digital files on this CD will also play on portable players supporting secure WMA files." It also says it requires 98/2000/XP.

Oh yeah, accessing the CD via Explorer crashes Windows. I keep sending Error Reports to Microsoft...

The CD also has a fun little "introduction" in "cool guy" terms... Excerpts here:
Welcome to your new "Expanded Experience" compact disc.

This CD utilizes exclusive Cd3 technology by SunnComm, Inc. to "open the door" to exciting new dimensions of digital entertainment. You're about to experience Compact Disc entertainment like you never have before.

You've probably already noticed our "Expanded Experience Ladybug Logo". Whenever you see that logo, it's your assurance that you've purchased a legitimate, first-quality CD with the added bonus features of Cd3 technology. You get to experience the music just the way the artist intended.

While this CD will play automatically in any standard CD player, it does require specific digital files to play on your computer. To insure optimum quality and playability of all of the content included on this CD, the CD is configured to automatically run a quick series of simple functions, including a search for the proper digital "keys" for this system, and the automatic copying of your music onto your computer's hard drive. In other words, the CD does all your set-up work for you!

AT NO TIME DURING THESE PROCESSES WILL DATA BE COLLECTED ABOUT YOU OR YOUR COMPUTER

Note: Your computer must have a software music player capable of playing protected Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Video (WMA & WMV), such as Microsoft Windows Media Player Version 7. If you do not have such a player, please visit the following website to obtain an upgrade:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/do wn load/default.asp

The CD will access and deliver your digital keys and content via a secure music delivery system. Just let the CD "do it's thing", then kick back and enjoy the ride!

________________________________________
The EULA on the CD (emphasis mine):

BMG DIGITAL CONTENT END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

This CD contains digital music files and related content (Digital Content) as a bonus for you, the End User (End User or you). Access to the Digital Content requires digital keys that are downloaded to your computer system via a secure digital key delivery system. Your acceptance of this End User License Agreement (Agreement or EULA) is required for these digital keys to be downloaded and for you to use the bonus Digital Content. At your option you may copy the digital content to your computer system. This audio compact disc utilizes MediaMax technology by SunnComm to deliver enhanced features to your c

How to use the Line In feature:

[IchBinDasWalross]

For people who don't speak Babelfish:

Get a cable which you can plug into your CD (Note: "real Compact Discs" don't ever have DRM) playing device of choice. It should have a male port on both ends. Plug one into your microphone port, the other into your CD player. Open a device (for example, sound recorder) and click record. Hit "Play" a half second later so you don't cut off anything. After the song finishes, stop the recording, clip off parts from the beginning and end, and save as a .wav file.

With your .wav, run it though a program for audio compression, maybe MKW audio compreesion toolkit. Then, distribute it to as many of your friends as possible.

MKW = http://www.etree.org/mkw.html

Re:How to use the Line In feature:

[tempfile]

By using the Microphone port, you could very well blow the microphone preamplifier on your sound card. Use the Line In jack instead.

Not quite

[Anonymous Coward]

The working class has far more total wealth than the upper class just because there's so many more working class people. That money is mostly held as corporate shares, either through CDs at the bank (the bank re-invests that money) or mutual funds.

Google answer summary of wealth distribution in the US

and a nice Pie chart distribution of wealth