I think that UK law, and possibly some other countries as well allow you to have copy-protected CD's replaced with unprotected ones as copy-protected CD's don't meet the "red book" standard set up by Sony and Philips and therefore aren't legally a "CD".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_(audio_CD_st andard)
at the very least in the UK you should be entitled to your money back as the goods are not "fit for the purpose" which is a breach of the Sale of Goods Act
http://www.br0wn.co.uk/lawofshopping/
And remember your contract is with the shop (HMV in your case) not the Record Company, so the shop must rectify the problem.
Slashdot Mirror
I think that UK law, and possibly some other countries as well allow you to have copy-protected CD's replaced with unprotected ones as copy-protected CD's don't meet the "red book" standard set up by Sony and Philips and therefore aren't legally a "CD". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_(audio_CD_st andard)
at the very least in the UK you should be entitled to your money back as the goods are not "fit for the purpose" which is a breach of the Sale of Goods Act
http://www.br0wn.co.uk/lawofshopping/
And remember your contract is with the shop (HMV in your case) not the Record Company, so the shop must rectify the problem.