Sorry to post the whole thing, but I got this from a subscription service so I can't just post the link:


Sony Music develops CD copy-proof system



Thursday, November 21, 2002 at 09:04 JST
TOKYO — Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc said Wednesday it will release next January music compact disks (CDs) equipped with a new technology to prevent illegal copying and protect copyrights.

The CDs using the new technology are encoded to prevent illegal copying, but can be decoded and downloaded into personal computers if users obtain a key from the company over the Internet, it said.

Once the CDs are properly downloaded, users can listen to the music repeatedly on their personal computers but cannot copy them onto other CDs.

The company will provide the decoding key to users for free for the first downloading, but will charge about 200 yen per tune for the second and further downloading.

Sony Music will promote the technology to other music companies in the hope that it will become the industry standard, company officials said. Major music firm Avex Inc appear to be considering adopting it, the officials added.

Unlike Sony Music's new technology, the existing technology can allow no CDs to be downloaded into personal computers.