Labels Sued Over Copy-Protected CDs

A European consumer watchdog group is suing four of the world’s largest music firms for selling copy-protected compact discs that won’t play in car stereos and on computers, the Belgium-based organization said.

The group, known in Dutch as Test-Aankoop, said it had received more than 200 complaints from consumers who objected to a technology that prevents consumers from making a backup version on a blank disc and limits playback on certain devices.

EMI Group, Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment Inc. and BMG Entertainment have been named in the suit, expected to be heard this week in a Belgian court.

The group wants the labels to stop issuing protected discs and to reimburse customers.