Copy-protection technology was intended to prevent the “ripping” of CDs, a simple process where an audio CD is played into a computer and digitally recorded as a sound file which can be compressed into MP3 format and made available on peer-to-peer networks, such as KaZaA. The music industry argues that such networks are damaging CD sales.
Sony’s system was thought by many to be the most advanced protection yet – earlier attempts proved unsuccessful. Protected discs, such as Celine Dion’s latest effort, “A New Day Has Come,” are intended to play on regular audio CD players, but not on computers. In fact, PCs can crash when the disk is loaded and some Apple Macintosh users have had to take their computers for servicing after attempting to play the discs.
However, it appears that the protection is circumvented by scribbling around the edge of a disk with a felt-tip marker pen, or applying sticky tape to the edge, thereby hiding a security track.
Eminem’s latest album, “The Eminem Show,” is also expected to carry copy protection. However, Reuters reports today that its release has been brought forward by one week because illegal copies are already being circulated.