Apple dismisses EMI claim of iPod compatibility in upcoming EMI copy-protected CDs

21 years ago

“EMI’s upcoming copy-protected CDs, which will use technology from Macrovision, and will at last be compatible with iPods, a change nearly a year in the making, the label said,” John Borland reports for CNET. ‘Apple is nearly finished with the technical work necessary to enable consumers to transfer music from content-protected discs to their iPods,’ the label said in a statement detailing its copy-protection plans. ‘This is an important step for EMI and Apple, but even more so for music consumers who will soon be able to legitimately port music from protected discs they own to the iPod.’

Borland reports, “However, Apple disputed EMI’s characterization of its plans. ‘The information EMI provided regarding iTunes and iPod compatibility with Macrovision’s technology is not true and we have no idea why EMI made this statement,’ Apple said in a statement. If true, the agreement would mark a substantial step forward for advocates of copy-protecting CDs, even as the ongoing controversy over Sony’s actions has cast the practice into controversy.”

“EMI said its CDs will have usage rules similar to songs purchased from the iTunes music store. Consumers will be allowed to “rip” one full copy-protected version of the album to their computer, from which it can be transferred to MP3 players. Three copies of the full disc can be made on blank CDs, and each individual track can be burned to CD seven times,” Borland reports.

Full article here.

Back in July 2004, we reported on a story from The Register that included, “The two big US copy protection specialists, Macrovision and SunnComm are both touting the idea that they need to become Apple iPod compliant and they might need the help of the big record labels to twist Apple’s arm into helping them.” In August 2004, we reported on another story from the Register that included, “Copy protection provider Macrovision is sufficiently confident that it will be able to incorporate FairPlay support into its CDS-300 copy control that is has begun telling customers that it will add iTunes and iPod support to its software in Q4. According to mailings sent out with the company’s CDS-300 version 7 beta release.”

Also, back in July 2004, Borland reported for CNET, “For the past several years, both SunnComm and rival Macrovision have worked to put two different versions of songs on each protected album. The first set of tunes is a locked-down version of the CD’s content. The second set consists of digital tracks that can be transferred to a computer or to some portable music devices. That ‘second session’ has been filled, to date, with songs in Microsoft’s Windows Media Audio format. Both companies chose the WMA format because it’s supported by virtually every PC on the market, and a large number of different portable players.”

“The decision, which was never warmly embraced by all the major record labels, appeared to give Microsoft the potential for powerful and profitable inroads into the music business. If songs in its format were to be included on every CD, WMA could go a long way toward becoming a de facto digital music standard,” Borland explained. “But the subsequent meteoric rise of the iPod–which does not play Microsoft-formatted music–has forced a change in plans: no more reliance on Microsoft’s technology, no more second session and an appeal to Apple for compatibility.”

Full article here.

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What is this, EMI’s week to issue public statements about their wildest hopes and dreams? First it was, “Steve Jobs will alter iTunes Music Store’s pricing.” Apple: no comment. Now, it’s “Our shitty fake CDs will work with iPods soon!” Apple: We have no idea what they’re on, but it’s gotta be something powerful. What gives, EMI?