Sony BMG DRM Strives to Eliminate "Schoolyard Piracy"

Since March, Sony BMG has released "at least 10 commercial titles" employing XCP2 technology developed by UK-based antipiracy company first4Internet. Sony BMG claims that the 10 titles represent "over one million units," but the company steadfastly refuses to specify which titles have XCP2.

The technology allows consumers to copy the CDs—or at least, it permits them to make a limited number of copies (three, in fact)—however, copies cannot be made of those copies. First4Internet's website describes it thus: "Its methodology is an encapsulation process that wraps around the audio content controlling device access. This technique enables the information contained on the disc to be protected without being altered or affecting sound quality."

Limiting the number of copies that can be made—not to mention blocking subsequent copying—is a process described as "sterile burning." Sony BMG's president of global digital business told Billboard's Brian Garrity, "Casual piracy, the school yard piracy, is a huge issue for us. Two-thirds of all piracy comes from ripping and burning CDs, which is why making the CD a secure format is of the utmost importance."

Interestingly, that seems to be more important than compatibility, since XCP2 is incompatible with Apple Computers' Fair Play DRM scheme. In other words, consumers who buy XCP2-protected discs cannot transfer them to their iPods. Further, since Sony BMG refuses to divulge which discs have been treated, much less label them, consumers have no way of knowing in advance whether or not the discs they have purchased will work for their intended uses for them.

Naturally, hackers are already at work on this puzzle, but there's a bizarre postscript to this story. Www.gizmodo.com reports, "Legal problems are already arising because the protected rip format forbids the music from being put onto the Apple iPod, so BMG is sending emails to inquiring customers with instructions on a backdoor route around this problem."

Boy, we sure didn't see that one coming.

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