It seems like Capitol Records, the label behind Coldplay did not learn a lesson from Sony, as Coldplay's new album "X&Y" is so crippled with DRM that a few fans have reported the disc "virtually unplayable"! While the disc's jewel case clearly mentions that it the disc is copy protected, it certainly does not mention about "May be unplayable" symptons, etc.
While the DRM restrictions aim to prevent the disc from being ripped or accessed in drives capable of recording CDs, the disc also uses hardware based copy-protection as with early copy protected discs. In fact, the DRM restrictions are so strict that the disc will not play in most game consoles (Xbox, PS2, etc), DVD players and even certain CD players and some car stereos, which tend to be very sensitive to non-standard audio CDs. Finally, to prevent consumers from attempting to return their discs as a result of the DRM, the disc also includes a notice saying that the disc may not be returned or exchanged unless it has a manufacturing defect.
Despite the pesky restrictions, some users have been reported to have succeeded in finding a way around the restrictions, so while the DRM affects most legitimate CD buyers, it will not prevent illegal file sharing of the music, not to mention consumers who download the music instead of buying the CD. Unfortunately, while most fans are happy to support their artists, the artists will face harm in the long run if fans decide to stop purchasing their music in order to boycott the labels that use copy protection.
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Coldplay's label, Capitol Records, has installed extremely restrictive digital rights management (DRM) on the CD. Although the disc packaging does clearly state that the CD is copy-protected, the buyer doesn't know exactly what the restrictions are until they've bought the CD and opened it up. Worse, the restrictions prevent the CD from being returned or exchanged unless there is a "manufacturing defect." The full article can be read here. |
It is getting hard to believe that some labels are trying their best to prevent CDs from being copied. On the other hand, I cannot see any point in making the restrictions so tight that consumers also get restricted on what they may use to play their discs. As a good majority of consumers listen to their music on their PC, Car stereos and DVD players or even transfer their music to an MP3 player to carry with them, discs like this are becoming a major pain for these.
Source: ConsumerAffairs.com
