Copy-protection bullshit!

[Steve Marth]

A couple quick comments about what Rob had posted earlier...

"Geez......doesn't anyone listen on a stereo anymore Huh No problems playing Z there. Best sound, too."


Yeah, I'm sure it plays just fine in a stereo or a DiscMan or a car CD player or whatever. But the fact is that some (or a lot of) people simply don't listen to their music in those forms anymore. And record companies KNOW THIS--as proven by the enthusiasm they've been displaying for the whole iTunes Store style "purchase songs online" bandwagon.

Me? I don't have a car. I don't have a functioning DiscMan anymore. All the CDs I buy go straight onto my computer and into my iPod.

But by making me install a special "player" program onto my computer to be able to listen to the CD--and by not allowing me to put the files ripped from this player onto my iPod--the record company is forcing me to listen to the CD on THEIR TERMS instead of my own. I can't listen to it while walking to work (as I can with ALL of my other music CDs). I can't listen to it while taking a walk around the lake (as I can with ALL of my other music CDs).

This would all be well and good if they made this known before I puchased the CD. But they didn't. What I purchased isn't a music CD (as it is advertised and marketed), but a piece of software which EMULATES a music CD. That's not what I thought I was buying. I thought I was buying a normal music CD, the type which has worked in computer CD ROM drives for the last decade. Classic 'bait-and-switch.' They lied to me, their own customer who paid them money for their product. And this is a continuation of the recent trend of record compaines villanizing their own customers (FBI Anti-Piracy Warnings on the packaging!) in an attempt to curb illegal downloading and copying.

So yes, I could listen to it in my stereo, but I don't want to. It isn't convenient for me. I don't listen to ANY OTHER CDs in my stereo. And yes, I can listen to it in their special player. It sounds fine and doesn't destory my computer. But I don't want to! I shouldn't have to! Much in the same way I wouldn't go buy a wrist-watch only to be told that I could ONLY wear it on my left wrist, I would never knowingly buy a music CD only to be told I had to listen to it with special software. That just isn't right.

And yes, this was all explained (however vaguely) in the End User License Agreement that I agreed to when I put the CD in my computer. But I was only able to READ this agreement after having already purchased the CD and taken it out of its shrink wrapping, thus rendering it non-returnable to the indie record store I bought it from.




So basically, because I'm probably rambling and not making any sense, this is a classic case of "It's the principle of the thing!"




I just can't imagine the kind of precident this is setting. What's next, really?


Eek.

[EC]

IT'S NOT ATO'S FAULT IT'S THEIR PARENT COMPANY RCA!!!!!! HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO SAY THIS

Sorry, what'd you say?

(just kiddin')

See, there you go, Steve.  You did something about it.  Good work.  Keep us posted.  

[October]

man it is bullshit, but easy to get around.

1) put disc (Z) in, wait for the program to run then use the copy to pc option
2) it will download a folder with WMA (windows media) files to wherever you want
3) these won't let you turn them into mp3s or use them on itunes or do anything with them except listen really, so just burn them to a disc using the windows media burner, NOT itunes or any other burner you have
4) download a program called EAC (exact audio copy), google it
5) put your burned disc back in and open EAC
6) use EAC to change the files to wav. just hit the wav button and it will do the work, giving you a folder of wav files
7) upload your wavs to itunes, use itunes to turn wav to mp3
8) put mp3s on your ipod

is it illegal to post that? if so, i'll get rid of it

[aMillionDreams]

is it illegal to post that? if so, i'll get rid of it

it may be illegal but it sure ain't unethical.  Thanks for the tip!

[October]

it may be illegal but it sure ain't unethical.  Thanks for the tip!

haha, i'll leave it up a bit longer then get rid of it.  the last thing my broke college butt needs is a lawsuit or something

[rob]

Don't worry, October.....it's pretty common knowledge that all you have to do is burn the song files from Windows Media Player to a CDR...then from that disc, you can convert them to mp3s, etc....you'll get a slight downgrade in sound, I'm sure...but not major.

[ChiefOKONO]

no problems playing it on my PC. i use winamp to play everything, its great:

www.winamp.com

[cochrock121]

I sent e-mails to both ATO and RCA, just saying it is a rip off.  I encourage others to do the same.

info@rcarecords.com

info@atorecords.com

I am sure this will do nothing, but you don't get anywhere being quiet.

[cochrock121]

jimjames@mymorningjacket.com

and jim's e-mail also.  he may not even know this e-mail exists, but i think it is worth being vocal.

[corey]

Please don't bother the band about this. Please.

E-mailing the record companies? Fine.

[cochrock121]

I think I will do what I want.  But I appreciate the feedback.

Who do you think is responsible?  Do you think the band had no prior knowledge of this?  I doubt it.

[doEVILslittle]

as long as there's a way around the copy protection, and i knowthere is because i listened to the cd on my ipod many a times yesterday, then why bother going through with all this complaining and BS? just a question...

[EC]

It's one thing to email the dudes.  It's another thing to encourage everyone else to do it.  It's retarded.

Who do you think is responsible?

Seriously?  

[doEVILslittle]

And yes, I can listen to it in their special player. It sounds fine and doesn't destory my computer.
...

So basically, because I'm probably rambling and not making any sense, this is a classic case of "It's the principle of the thing!"

it actually does fuck with your computer quite a bit everytime u put a cd into your computer, and yea i guess it's the principle of the thing, but no need in wasting your time yelling at RCA or ATO, the most they will do is write up a formal apoligy to everyone who bought a cd, and i doubt it even goes that far. i'm all for sticking it to the man, but since becoming a bit older i've found sometimes it's just not worth the energy if all the man is gonna do is brush me off like a fly

[cochrock121]

I am a bit older too, and I am just fed up.  To follow up on the "retarded" comment, I think the record company may fall into that group quite well.  They bitch about declining record sales and yet they put out protected CD's?  That is putting your thinking cap on.  If I would have known, I would have bought it through itunes (which I should have done to get the bonus track).  The only issue, is you could get it at Best Buy for $7.99.  I typically shop at independent stores, but I am not throwing away an additional $6, just to say I am loyal.  I am loyal, but not "retarded."  

Ok, this is already too long, but, why not get the band involved?  I have paid for every one of their cd's, I go see them in concert everytime they are in town.  I certainly am not alone and I am certainly not the only one who is irked by this.

[cochrock121]

And to clarify, I think people are able to make their own decisions on how to voice their opinions.  If they want to e-mail the record company or the band, that is their decision.  I don't think posting the informaition is forcing anyone to do not act on their own.

I love this band and their music, I just think it is B.S. that the cd is protected.  This is my last post on the topic.

If you care, speak up, if you don't, then be on with your day...

[VRL]

Why buy CDs?  

[cochrock121]

And to clarify, I think people are able to make their own decisions on how to voice their opinions.  If they want to e-mail the record company or the band, that is their decision.  I don't think posting the informaition is forcing anyone to do not act on their own.

I love this band and their music, I just think it is B.S. that the cd is protected.  This is my last post on the topic.

If you care, speak up, if you don't, then be on with your day...

[EC]

I am a bit older too, and I am just fed up.  To follow up on the "retarded" comment, I think the record company may fall into that group quite well.  They bitch about declining record sales and yet they put out protected CD's?  That is putting your thinking cap on.  If I would have known, I would have bought it through itunes (which I should have done to get the bonus track).  The only issue, is you could get it at Best Buy for $7.99.  I typically shop at independent stores, but I am not throwing away an additional $6, just to say I am loyal.  I am loyal, but not "retarded."

Well you do what you want to do.  Your $6, by the way, is not being "thrown away".  It's helping to support people who don't dig big business practises, which ultimately fuck the world right up.  You think that Best Buy is helping this world out?    (We don't have Best Buy here, I don't think.  I assume it's like Wal Mart or whatever.)  I never mind paying more money to support shops that I like.  Because I like them and I want to see them exist, still.

Ok, this is already too long, but, why not get the band involved?  I have paid for every one of their cd's, I go see them in concert everytime they are in town.  I certainly am not alone and I am certainly not the only one who is irked by this.

As I said, it's one thing to write to the band yourself, and it's another thing to try and get troops behind you.  Most bands do not have email addresses listed on their sites.  It seems an abuse of the fact that they're open to receiving emails from anybody.  It's mostly a respect thing.  

[cochrock121]

I just read a post on how to easily take care of the protection situation.  I did it and it didn't involve downloading any software.  I changed one setting on my computer.  If you want the info, drop me a line.  hellohello121@hotmail.com

As for the rest of the stuff, bygones.