Some consumers are starting to rebel against copy-controlled or copy-protected CDs that limit the ability of consumers to utlitize the music they buy, contesting that music companies are going too far in trying to protect file sharing even from people who buy music.
Last week, anti-piracy technology included on about fifty Sony BMG titles secretely installed spyware on consumers’ computers. The software opened computers to viruses and hackers, and attempts to remove the software disabled CD drives. Companies are also trying to control consumers’ actions by limiting what programs can be used to play music. The same Sony BMG discs are only compatible with Windows Media Player – not iTunes, which is popular among music sharers.
After the news came to light, some consumers started a boycott of Sony products – a calm and effective response. Customers are openly avoiding buying any copy-protected CDs. Sony is starting to target the very people it had hoped to keep – individuals who pay for music. On whatever side of the file-sharing debate the majority falls, one thing during the course of the past severals years has stayed constant: If you pay for the music, it is yours.
If companies choose to go after the easy target – paying customers – in order to make up for those who do not pay, consumers should boycott. If we cannot rightfully use our music when we pay for it, perhaps it is better to steal it.
