Sanyo's attempt to stop pirates

[Andrew Pratt]

http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/ptech/09/24/sanyo.cd.rom.protection.idg/index.html

(IDG) -- Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd. has developed a new technology which it says prevents the copying of CD-ROM discs onto CD-R (CD-recordable) discs, the company said.

When users try to copy a CD-ROM disc protected with the technology onto a CD-R disc, a hidden file, which consists of data that causes errors, will be read and prevent illegal copying, according to Tamotsu Itoi, a spokesman for Sanyo.

This file will be hidden on discs at the pressing stage. The size and the location of this hidden file vary for each master disc, making it harder for software which can detect the hidden file to be developed, Itoi said.

The new system from Sanyo is the latest in a number of technologies developed to prevent pirating of CD-ROMs. Most of these have failed because programmers have found ways around the systems and developed software to help users bypass the protection. Sanyo said it will keep working on the technology in an attempt to break this vicious circle, said Itoi.

Until then, it will start taking orders from vendors for this new technology to be added to their CDs and hopes to earn profits of between 400 million and 500 million yen (US$3.4 million to $4.4 million) from it in its first fiscal year on the market, Itoi said.

[ThomasW]

Here's the solution to that problem. It's a bit copier that makes RAW copies.

http://www.elby.org/english/corp/index.htm

theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Kevin P]

In the 80s software companies learned a valuable lesson: copy protection DOESN'T STOP piracy. It looks like the entertainment and software industries need to learn it all over again.

In the meantime, it's a simple matter to scan the CD to locate the file with the errors, then exclude it from the copy. Or use a bit-for-bit copier.

KJP




Official Computer Geek and Techno-Wiz Guru of HTGuide - Visit Tower of Power
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[Andrew Pratt]

I was going ot say don't the RAW CD copiers just copy the disc bit for bit this won't stop them from being copies as a whole disc

[Lex]

If they succeed, I will never buy a Sanyo product period. It's our right to copy our own music. F'k em.

Lex

[Kevin P]

Although Sanyo's product seems to be geared toward CD-ROM (computer software), there are a number of audio CD "protection" schemes being tested, including a Macrovision scheme.

What gets me about this is (1) these schemes won't stop piracy, since the biggest problem isn't people making CD-R copies at home, it's bootleggers who make mass copies and sell them, (2) software updates will work around the protection, and (3) deviating from the Red Book standard will likely cause problems with certain CD players. For example, the Macrovision scheme introduces errors into the bitstream, which could render the discs unplayable on car and portable CD players with anti-skip protection, not to mention PCs. Plus it will likely degrade the sound quality, just like Macrovision on VHS and DVD has been proven to degrade video quality.

In any case, copy protection benefits no one and hurts everyone.

KJP




Official Computer Geek and Techno-Wiz Guru of HTGuide - Visit Tower of Power
My HT Site

[Andrew Pratt]

If they succeed, I will never buy a Sanyo product period

Personally this shouldn't be to hard

[Markj]

It seems that all of these copy protection schemes are directed at us the general user. The people that pirate for their living have equipment and resources that can over come these schemes easily. They are targeting the wrong people!

[Andrew Pratt]

it gets much worse

http://www.stereophile.com/shownews.cgi?1152

[Andrew Pratt]

http://www.theonion.com/onion3618/kid_rock_starves.html

This is hilarious look at the 'problem' of MP3

[Kevin P]

What's ironic about all this protection crap is that eventually the only way to get quality copies of music/movies/software will be from the pirates. For example, take the recent Charley Pride CD that had a copy protection scheme applied to it. If you want that CD, you have the following choices:[*]Buy the protected CD, and have it not play, or play badly, on many/all of your CD players[*]Buy the protected CD, then use a ripper program that bypasses the protection and burn an error-free copy[*]Buy a cracked CD from a pirate[*]Download MP3s off the Internet, and burn your own CD.

The protection in this case would seem to have the opposite effect of what the record companies were hoping for.

KJP




Official Computer Geek and Techno-Wiz Guru of HTGuide - Visit Tower of Power
My HT Site