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List:       dmca-discuss
Subject:    [DMCA_Discuss] Record labels sued over copy-protected CDs
From:       Vladimir Katalov <vkatalov () elcomsoft ! com>
Date:       2004-01-06 12:48:47
Message-ID: 142105828546.20040106154847 () elcomsoft ! com
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Record labels sued over copy-protected CDs
January 05 2004
by Reuters
 
Not playing fair says European consumer watchdog...
 
http://www.silicon.com/networks/webwatch/0,39024667,39117607,00.htm?nl=d20040106

A European consumer-watchdog body is suing the world's largest music
companies for selling copy-protected compact discs that won't play in
car stereos and on computers.

The Belgian-based group, Test-Aankoop, said it has received more than
200 complaints from consumers who objected to a technology that
prevents consumers from making a back-up version on a blank disc and
limits playback on certain devices.

Industry observers believe Test-Aankoop's suit is the biggest European
legal challenge yet to the music industry's controversial campaign to
release copy-protected discs, in order to minimise the impact that
digital piracy is having on sales.

Test-Aankoop cited more than a dozen top-selling releases including
Shakira's Laundry Service and Radiohead's Hail to the Thief that could
not be played on multiple devices.

EMI, Universal Music, Sony Music and BMG have been named in the suit,
which is expected to be heard this week in a Belgian court.

Warner Music is the only one of the five major music labels not named.

The group said it wants the labels to end the practice of issuing
protected discs and to reimburse customers.

Mechels Ivo, a spokesman for the group, said: "We are trying to
establish legal precedent in this matter. Then, we expect other
consumer organisations will follow."

Since introducing two years ago copy-protection technology - which
typically amounts to a layer of data embedded on the rings of a
compact disc that prevent playback on all but a home stereo or
portable hi-fi device - the music industry has been hit with torrents
of criticism from individual consumers.

The question of whether consumers are entitled to make back-up copies
of music they buy has also become a heated legal debate.

In defence of the technological measures, the music industry blames
the practice of copying, or "burning'' discs for creating a massive
black market of online song-swapping that has eaten into sales for
three consecutive years.

Test-Aankoop said it had contacted industry trade group the
International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in the
autumn about the consumer concerns.

The IFPI could not be reached immediately for comment. 

Test-Aankoop made international headlines last year when it triggered
a crackdown on counterfeit batteries being sold on the streets for use
in Nokia mobile phones. It said the batteries were prone to exploding
or catching fire.

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