--- Forwarded Message from Cesar <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 09:19:08 -0400
>From: Cesar <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum    <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6694 Copy-protection crashes computers?
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Originator-Info: login-token=Mulberry:01yreoDy0cG3AOOPeGFTcffh0UHztQIjX4GhWEyicbmA==; [log in to unmask]

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This is indeed the case.

The bulk of these copy-proof "audio CDs" have been released in the European 
market, specifically Germany, but they are also coming to the U.S.A.

SONY has been a big proponent and architect in this endeavor but sadly the "copy proofing" works by adding to the CD a track that contains bogus data.

Since computer hard drives are programmed to read data files first, the Windows PCs will continuously try to play the bogus track first and will never succeeded.  This may cause the CD playing application to freeze.  The 
same thing happens with Apple PCs, but some of them actually crash.  >:|

These "audio CDs" are not technically or legally "Compact Discs" and as such will not bear the CD Logo found on compact discs.  Instead of the logo, they state "Will not play on PC/Mac" as your message mentions.

Ironically, this "high-tech" protection has already been defeated by simply 
scribbling around the rim of the "audio CD" with a felt-tip marker.  Doing this renders the "audio CD" computer playable and capable of being copied.

Millions of dollars of research given their comeuppance by a 99 cent marker.  Take that, SONY!

-César
Carnegie Mellon University


--On Tuesday, May 21, 2002 1:22 PM +0000 LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> --- Forwarded Message from Ursula Williams <[log in to unmask]> ---
>
>> In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> References: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 11:12:20 -0600
>> To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
>> <[log in to unmask]> From: Ursula Williams <[log in to unmask]>
>> Subject: Copy-protection crashes computers?
>
> ------------------
> This came to my attention last evening by way of one of our Arts and
> Letters consultants. I wanted to share it with you, and to learn if
> there is confirmation from other institutions:
>
>
>> There is a new generation of copy-protected audio CDs that can crash
>> your computer or render it unable to start up properly.
>>
>> These discs are not audio CDs following the standard industry
>> specification, and will say "Will not work on PC/Mac" in place of the
>> Compact Disc logo. If you intend to play an audio CD on your
>> computer, inspect the packaging for any warnings about
>> computer-specific copy protection measures present on the disc.
>>
>> Inserting one of these discs into a computer can cause unexpected
>> harmful results, including freezes, crashes, and startup problems
>> that may require the machine to be sent back to the vendor for
>> service. This service will not be covered under warranty, and charges
>> for these incidents will be the responsibility of the individual user.
>
> Ursula Williams
> Notre Dame