Macrovision releases audio protection CDS-300 with Windows Media DRM

January 22, 2004

Macrovision is one of the
companies that creates copy protections that are widely adopted. You can find
Macrovision protections on VHS tapes, DVD movies, games and audio CDs. Most of
their protections are pretty successul and do what they are designed for; making
it harder for the average user to create a copy of their CD. Unfortunately this
also means that it's more difficult to make a personal safety backup of these
items but there are some tools around that are able to bypass the
protections.

Today
Macrovision has announced CDS-300 a new audio protection system which also has
Windows Media DRM aboard to allow content owners to set usage rights. This could
be for example, allowing consumers the ability to export to
-only- compliant portable devices (with specified number of exports), as
well as burn CDs (with specified number of burns). Copied files will not play if
emailed or distributed via the Internet.

CDS-300 Features:

Prevents most combinations of personal computer software jukebox/ripper and CD drives from duplicating protected discs.
Thwarts unauthorized duplication on most dual-deck recorders.
Impedes ripping of first session content into unprotected compressed audio files, thereby inhibiting electronic or physical redistribution.
Disallows playback of copied second session encrypted content on un-secured or unlicensed devices.

More information on this copy protection can be found in this press release on Yahoo. Discuss this new protection in our Audio Forum, where you can also read how to bypass a number of other audio copy protections.

Source: Yahoo.com