Sony Kills Copy-Protected CDs


Armed with information that music piracy is restricted to a small proportion of the population, Sony Music has opted to abandon copy-protection of its music CDs, an Associated Press story at the Canada Post reports.

Despite having adopted copy-protection for two years, Sony now believes that the anti-piracy message is getting through to consumers.

The policy shift may also be a result of Sony's decision to press ahead with the MP3 format with no copy restrictions on the European versions of its music players. Sony's ATRAC players, which use a proprietary format, have not been received well either in the market or by reviewers. The new players will be able to play any MP3 file.

Analysis: This raised concerns in the industry last week, as Sony appeared to have abandoned notions of copy-protection by adopting the MP3 standard. It's also in direct response to the iPod, which will play any old MP3. But Sony clearly thinks the losses it takes on pirated CDs are minimal. A blow to copy-protection companies as well, who were hoping to score big-time on doing deals with Apple, among others. This doesn't mean other music companies will take the Sony route though.