New CD antipiracy software disabled by Shift

[CyberHippie]

New CD antipiracy software disabled by Shift key

Last Updated Wed, 08 Oct 2003 16:25:45

TORONTO - A PhD student at Princeton University has found a very simple way to defeat the copy-protection measures on his new CD: hold down the Shift key.

John Halderman explained on his Web site this week how he disabled the antipiracy software distributed on a new album by BMG recording artist Anthony Hamilton.

The software is installed on the CD and loads automatically onto a Windows computer when it is inserted into the CD drive.

The copy-protection software makes copying the disc or "ripping" the individual tracks into mp3s impossible.

However, holding down the Shift key when loading a CD into a Windows machine's drive disables the autorun feature, leaving the CD undefended, Halderman said.

Record label BMG and SunnComm, the company that created the antipiracy software said they were aware of the technique before they shipped the CDs.

Both companies said they believe the copy-protection scheme was sufficient to deter the average user from copying the CD.

SunnComm's technology protects the CD tracks from being ripped, but also includes versions of the CD's songs in a format that can be transferred onto a computer and copied a limited number of times.

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/10/08/Consumers/cd_shift031008