Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - DRM, Anti-piracy and how I learned to hate the industry...

xepherys · 01-02-2006, 05:48 PM

Well, after the Sony/BMG debacle with Digital Rights Management, you'd think it'd take another year or so for another company's folly to come about. However, Virgin Records appears to be doing something similar. Text for the Virgin Records issue is:

Quote:

A CD insert to make Sony blush

1/2/2006 1:47:06 PM, by Ken "Caesar" Fisher

Coldplay's latest CD provides what may be one of the best tools to use against the onslaught of anti-consumer digital rights management technology. Their most recent album, X & Y, now comes in some regions with an insert that warns users not to expect the CD they just purchased to work with just any old CD player (the following exemplar is from India). Stating that "This CD cannot be burnt onto a CD-R or hard disk, nor can it be converted into MP3 for file sharing," the insert goes on to list 12 bullet-pointed exceptions to what devices can actually play the disc. But before they deliver the bad news, they start off with the good stuff.

Thank you very much for purchasing this CD and helping the cause of "Anti-Piracy." The recordings in this CD have an anti-copying function. They cannot be copied into a PC. In order for you to enjoy high quality music, we have added this special technology.

In less than 100 words, the spin doctors get their jabs in. See, MP3s are for file sharing (did you realize that?), and DRM is a special technology that will allow you to "enjoy high quality music." The hilarity rises to a fever pitch when the massive list of devices which can't play the CD is listed.

* Some CD players that have the capability of burning into an MP3 (such as portable players or car stereos).
* Some CD players that possess CD-R/RW functions (such as portable players or car stereos).
* Some car stereos with satellite "Guidance" systems
* Some CD players or car stereos with hard disk recording capacity
* Some CD-R/RW Recorders used for music

At this point, you may be think that CD-R users are being told to get lost, but it only gets better. The list goes on:

* Some portable CD players
* Some DVD players
* Some CD/LD Convertible Players
* Some Game Players

At this point I'm left wondering why they didn't just write "some CD players" and leave it at that. Clarity, however, is not part of the mission statement for DRM supporters. Witness this car wreck of a description of what the CD does on Windows:

* Although you can use your PC's Windows program to listen to certain tracks, this does not mean that the CD can be played in all PCs.
* The first time that this program is used (in Windows automatic starter software) it gets registered in Windows File. Thus, programs already registered to not affect Windows operations.
* Windows OS also uses the latest files.
* This CD does not support Macintosh PC software.

OK, I guess.

You might find this notification honest and perhaps even useful. Think again. Not only is the insert on the inside of the CD jewel case, where you can't see it until you've paid for the disc and cracked it open, but the insert kindly informs you that you can't return the merchandise.

* Except for manufacturing problems, we do not accept product exchange, return, or refund.

By now you may be wondering how this could be used as a tool against the onslaught of DRM. It's simple: copy this warning text, or get your hands on the actual insert, and mail it to everyone that represents you in government. This is a fantastic example of what industry players will do if they can get away with it. And the best part of it all? This copy protection is a complete waste of time; the album is available all over P2P networks, without DRM. Once again, the industry decides that punishing its paying customers is the best way to go. And one user who ended up with the CD found out that he could rip it anyway.

So what the hell? Why do companies continue to alientate customers that actually BUY the item, and not realize that they still fail entirely to prevent piracy and P2P file sharing? This kind of thing so thoroughly infuriates me that it's hard to express in words alone.

Discuss...