Copy-Protected CDs

Sony BMG's decided to use copy-protection software to prevent people ripping some 50-odd CDs - from internationally known artists such as Foo Fighters, Alicia Keys and Santana - to MP3s. however, this did not seem to be an issue here in the UK as none of the CDs issued here had the software.

• however, the BPI, says "lost sales" caused by file sharing alone rose 35% from £278m in 2003 to £376m in 2004.
• The UK's first copy-protected CD, Natalie Imbruglia's White Lilies Island (BMG), was returned en masse by customers in November 2001 after it failed to play on certain CD and DVD players - but compared to the US, and certainly the rest of Europe, the UK has remained almost unaffected.
• Four years ago, there were widespread calls within the five major record labels to use it, but only Sony and BMG released any copy-protected product in the UK.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,,1720882,00.html