Groklaw has a good piece about the DRM on Coldplay’s new album, including this part of the warning on the CD liner:
USAGE GUIDELINES:
This CD cannot be burnt onto a CD-R or hard disk, nor can it be converted into MP3 for file sharing.
This CD has been manufactured for usage in regular CD players but might not play in the following players:
- Some CD players that have the capability of burning into an MP3(such as portable players or car stereos)
- Some CD players that possess CD-R/RW functions (such as portable players or car stereos)
- Some car steros with satellite “Guidance” systems
- Some CD players or car stereos with hard disk recording capability
- Some CD-R/RW Recorders used for music
- Some portable CD players
- Some DVD players
- Some CD/LD Convertible Players
- Some Game Players
In other words, it’s not guaranteed to work on anything – and to cap it all off they say that you can’t get your money back if it won’t play in your system, unless there’s been a manufacturing fault! PJ sums it up very well, with an extra bit they must have missed off the liner..
Coldplay: This CD is only for customers who use Microsoft products and only on players that are blessed by Microsoft, and for customers who are willing to accept DRM controlling how they can use the CD. If you use a Mac or GNU/Linux, you are excommunicated. And if you look for an alternative, we reserve the right to tip off the RIAA and then it’ll be off with your head. Don’t like it? We don’t care. Watch us sitting in our offices not caring.
As Phillips said – it may look like a CD, but it isn’t..
