“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?
Related articles:
EMI chief: Apple’s Steve Jobs may alter iTunes pricing model within the next 12 months [UPDATED] – November 16, 2005
Apple to license FairPlay DRM to Macrovision for use in copy-protected CDs? – August 23, 2004
CD copy protection companies court Apple for Fairplay, may drop Microsoft’s WMA – July 20, 2004
what we are seeing here people is the slow and agonizing death of the Music Label. With digital downloads…there is NO need for the labels anymore. Their best service to the artists was to press records and cassette tapes and cds. Those services are no longer needed.
Even if you dont have a computer, the typical record store could burn you a cd quicker and cheaper than ordering the cd from EMI, et al.
Artists need only create music now and upload it to iTMS. The artist gets more of a cut of the 99 cents.
Their best service to the artists was to press records and cassette tapes and cds.
Err… you forgot about production and promotion.
The record companies would make much more money if they would not invest in this copy protection crap(who knows how many millions they are spending on this) and drop the price of CD’s a couple of bucks and they will fly off the shelf. If you make the disk too expensive than of course people will pirate them – sell at a fair price and it is not worth the effort to pirate them – this is why the iTunes Music Store is so successful, a fair price and instant gratification.
They will never learn.
bikersrule: “MDN has a tendency to mistake editorialising with hectoring and abuse. Editorials should never contain swear words (as is the case with the latest dose). Far from “pissing off”, myself and others will continue to push for a little bit more decency and professional writing on this web site.”
You are correct bikersrule. Agree 100%!
Why is everyone against muscians making money off the music they create?
Why is it okay for Apple to make money from musician`s work (iTunes, iPod), but musicians and the companies that distribute the music (and protect it from being stolen) are bad, evil jerks trying to rip the consumer off?
To use the Macaday and MDN thinking they would say “If you don´t like it go make your own music!!”
You all think musicians make music just for us to steal and not pay them for their talent and creativity? That way of thinking is just old school commie ideology thinking.
whatever – 99 cents for one song is a fair price??? Shoot that´s a ripoff to me. 25 cents is a fair price.
Wait, currently all CD’s can rip onto iPods.
This is a CD-ROM, and they claim it also will work with iPods.
Why the heck would Apple have a problem with this? It’s worse for consumers, but why would Apple care if a store-bought album can rip onto iPods? Are they now the defenders of the consumers of store bought cd’s?
If EMI wants Apple to be nice to them, EMI should speak to Yoko and the gang to stop harassing Apple and allow Beatles music on iTMS.
MacMania –you are a twit and a moron. What the hell is “fsk off”?
STop being a child. Free speech and all, you know? I can comment on MDN’s takes as I see fit.
And while we’re at it, what the hell is “scooter-trash”?
Droogs.
For someone who’s posting here for the first time ever (under the name Zondroat – and what kind of name is that?!) he’s making quite a noise.
It’s amusing for today. I hope tomorrow he’s somewhere else…
Cheerio busy bee…
You idiot Mac-lovers are so fscking predictable. I come in here and stir up a little trouble while working my EMI accounts and you drones chime in with the Macophile harrassment like clockwork.
Get a clue – Mac’s are not important and never will be. iTunes is but a temporary blip on the radar (check P2P figures vs. iTunes, dumbasses). I love that we’re challenging CrApple on their own turf. Let it be a warning that the record companies won’t be dictated to by a bunch of Mac hic’s any longer. And blow your MDN love out your ass. I do more than most of you do in a week in a few hours every day- so don’t comment on things you don’t understand. Like the record business. Little shits.
Bloody hell we got EMI management riled!!
Hey Zondroat..read BusinessWeek today: “The iMac’s operating software, Mac OS X 10.4, better known as Tiger, remains the best and easiest-to-use personal computer operating system, an honor it will retain at least until the next version of Windows ships next fall – and very likely beyond.”
Suggest you’re better off with DOS. Back to your accounts and your heavy chip on the shoulder.
“Let it be a warning that the record companies won’t be dictated to by a bunch of Mac hic’s any longer”.
Mmmm. That’s probably exactly what you idiots are thinking. You forget that there is something called customer choice. So long as that exists you can try all you like to undo iTunes but you won’t get far…
MDN are unapologetic, determined, often-angry, foaming-at-the-mouth Mac zealots. And that’s why I LOVE this site!! No Mac news site on the web is more entertaining than MDN. Or more informative: remember, they always provide the link to the original story so you can read it yourself. The only “spin” comes in the “take”, which you don’t have to read if it pisses you off.
So MDN’s becoming influential? This is the first I’ve heard of it, but if so, good for them! This site has always been part “unofficial Apple PR campaign”. A lot of the paragraphs in the takes that get repeated over and over again are for the benefit of first-time readers who link from Google News. The “xxx Virus Attacks Windows: Mac Unaffected” stories are designed to make the headline lists on news aggregation sites like Google and Yahoo.
I like MDN the way it is. Anyone who doesn’t has a wealth of other sites to choose from. May I recommend MacSurfer?
Zondroat:
Related article just for you:
Report: Apple iTunes Music Store more popular than most peer-to-peer file sharing services – June 07, 2005
Fred,
You do realize that surveys are generally as useless as the MDN take, don’t you? In any case, the comments posted in the article that you linked to show why that particular survey competently proves nothing.
Many thanks to Zondroat for so admirably playing his obnoxious role. I’m cracking up at the thought of him furiously adjusting horn rim glasses and pocket protector while animatedly hunting and pecking his responses to the MDN FRICKIN TAKE, and assorted comments. Then, all the way to the water cooler, muttering, “Little shits, little shits, what I ever done? I’m a critical information transfer point, things leave me in triplicate, I am second only to God.”
When I called for a little moderation on this web site I meant it. Zondroat has gone completely overboard by abusing people who disagreed with his views. This is exactly what I am talking about.
Look MDN and others; this is a general access web site for all people interested in macs. That means we have minors accessing this site. It’s one thing to have a spirited debate; it’s what we do in a democracy. It gives you the chance to put forward your views but there is also a responsibility to be civil. MDN at times encourages abuse and extremism.
Likewise their monologues from time to time are completely over the top. What I’m asking for is for MDN to lead by example, not show contributors how to abuse, hector, rant and rave. I’ll say no more I’m beginning to hector.
br
You are all pathetic pedants. At least MDN is serious enough about pathetic pedantry to create a site for you all to come and bag them
I hate you all – have a crap Xmas
..|.,
Hmmm Hmmmm… MDN said, “Shitty.” Hmmm hmmm, yeah, yeah…
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