Universal Music to Modify CDs to Curb Piracy

Vivendi Universal disclosed plans Tuesday to combat piracy with CDs that resist digital copying.

Universal Music Group will modify an undisclosed number of new releases in the fourth quarter to prevent “ripping,” or using a computer to record compressed digital versions of the songs on a compact disc.

Several labels have been experimenting with various types of anti-copying software, and Universal officials declined to say which technology they planned to use.

One drawback found in previous experiments is that some disc players cannot play the modified CDs, prompting buyers to return them.

Bruce Forest, an independent consultant who specializes in copyright protection, said the software won’t be able to stop a determined pirate from making copies and putting them on the Internet, where they’ll quickly spread to thousands of others.

“I suggest that the only people who are going to be affected by this are, ironically, people who would use [copying] for legitimate purposes,” Forest said.