Music industry watch

New copyprotected CDs from Sony

Roj blogged about Sony's new copyprotected CDs. I'm agree with Roj, but I'd like to read a little more into this development from Sony. Reuters says:

But Sony thinks it has an appealing approach: Give customers added incentives to buy copy-protected CDs.

...

he CD's also allow users to connect to Web sites with exclusive features such as bonus songs and concert tickets. The features are only available if you have the original CD.

...

Sony will evaluate customers' reaction to the new technology before introducing it in other countries. Wiser declined to specify a timetable for which the technology will be available in the United States.

It is not explicitly said that the first CD session is copy protected. If that is true than this is a step in the right direction. If the CD can still be played in all bonehead CD players than I'm not all against this new format.

I agree with Sony that adding more value to music is an interesting way of keeping your fans engaged and buying your products. I first thought of this appraoch when Napster first appeared on the scene, and I'm glad to see a major label embracing this approach.

What is also interesting is that Sony is just floating a trial balloon and not adopting it whole hog. Sounds like they've gotten bitten in the past and they are attempting to be smarter by testing out what consumers think of more value rather than less value. I'll be keeping my eyes on this development -- I think the outcome of this wrinkle may shape the future of digital music sales.

UPDATE: Reading the Wired News coverage leads me to believe that the first session is actually copyprotected:

The disc can be played on almost any device conventionally, said Phil Wiser, Sony Music's chief technology officer.

If it doesn't play in all, it's not Redbook compliant, which means its copyprotected. Stupid fools -- you almost made the right decisions!

Posted by Mayhem at November 11, 2003 11:52 AM