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Copy Protected CD Makers Attempt iPod Support
andrewdski writes "C|Net is reporting that both SunnComm International and Macrovision are courting Apple in an attempt to make their copy-protected CDs compatible with the iPod. This is being portrayed as a significant blow to Microsoft's control over digital rights technology." The iPod concerns were raised in a previous article.
This adds another (easier) loophole. Import to iTunes, export to whatever. Or, import to iPod, plug into line-in. The more complexity they add, the more holes there'll be for legitimate (using the term in its pre-DMCA/INDUCE-IICA sense, of course) use.
What's the point of a sig?
That seems like a bit of a leap. Maybe it would be more reasonable to say:
'Releases of iTunes has once included subtle changes in the licensing model for music that you purchased in the past. Since nobody called Apple to task for arbitrarily making trivial changes in the past, they may feel more comfortable making trivial changes in the future.'
If it's "copy protected", it's not a CD.
Not exactly true. Every copyprotected CD-like disc out there relies to one of the following tricks:
a. Deliberate RedBook errors on audio tracks. Used at least on Cactus Data Shield discs
b. Data session at the end of the disc left deliberately unclosed. Used at least on Sony Key2Audio discs
c. Audio obfuscation driver that relies on Windows autoplay for installation. Used at least on SunnComm MediaMax discs (complete analysis here).
In the case c, the disc is perfectly standards compatible CD -- it could even have the CD-DA-logo. If the copy protection hurts you because you're using Windows and had Autoplay on -- well, bad for you, but on other OSes -- like OS X or Linux -- there are no problems ripping these CDs whatsoever. Neither in Windows, if you don't let autoplay run.
The bad thing is obviously, that it is damn hard to find out what was the technology used, as even the non-copyprotected discs often lack the logo nowadays. But I think most shops will normally accept returning of copyprotected CDs, if you'll just claim that they didn't work in your stereo CD player. In case of C, you don't really need to -- the disc will work, if you don't just act like a fool by letting Windows autoplay it.
Case A is usually worst, as these discs do not stand physical damage as well as standard discs. Deliberate errors also forces to use special tools when ripping. OTOH, in thgis case the copy will be better in quality terms than the original. In case B most drives are able to rip the audio tracks succesfully, at least using special software. There are some drives, though, which refuse to ever recognise these discs at all.
“Wait for Hurd if you want something real” –Linus
Except they played perfectly on Macs.
The DRM they are talking about uses the Windows autoplay feature to install software on your computer that stops you from copying the CD. It then loads up pre-ripped WMA files.
So if you are on Mac/Linux, the software shouldn't load, and everything should rip fine. If you're on Windows, you have to turn autoplay off or hold the SHIFT key when inserting your CD.
People are now using iTunes for Windows to play all their music, and hook up with their iPods. These can't play protected WMA.
I hope Apple publishes a knowledgebase document explaining to hold the shift key. Or better yet, if they could turn autoplay off while iTunes is in the foreground, that would be perfect.