Coldplay's new CD has rules: No MP3s, no DVD players, no car stereos

BoingBoing ^ | 30 December 2005 | Cory Doctorow

[ShadowAce]

Coldplay's new CD has rules: No MP3s, no DVD players, no car stereos

Coldplay's new CD comes with an insert that discloses all the rules enforced by the DRM they included on the disc. Of course, these rules are only visible after you've paid for the CD and brought it home, and as the disc's rules say, "Except for manufacturing problems, we do not accept product exchange, return or refund," so if you don't like the rules, that's tough.

What are the other rules? Here are some gems: "This CD can't be burnt onto a CD or hard disc, nor can it be converted to an MP3" and "This CD may not play in DVD players, car stereos, portable players, game players, all PCs and Macintosh PCs." Best of all, the insert explains that this is all "in order for you to enjoy a high quality music experience." Now, that's quality.

I wonder how Coldplay feels about their fans getting all these rules set down for them by the music label? I wonder if most fans who read these rules will be wise enough to blame corporate, or whether they'll just decide to dig up a band whose label treats them like customers, not crooks? It's amazing how the labels always seem to come up with new ways of screwing artists: if they're not cheating them out of royalties, they're systematically alienating their fan-base.

Link

(via Digg)

[ShadowAce]

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Well, Coldplay's career is about to come to a screeching halt...

[an amused spectator]

LOL! They should change their band name to "Noplay"!

[martin_fierro]

Yeah, that'll help sales.

[highball]

Interesting tactic.

But if I can't put it on my iPod, why bother? Does this mean I have to download it from iTunes?

[ShadowAce]

Here's Groklaw's take on this issue.

[Uncle Vlad]

I wonder if we'll miss the record industry when it's gone.

[generally]

What will it play on?

Sounds like another expensive coaster to me.

[atomicpossum]

David: You know how I know you're gay?
Cal: How?
David: You like Coldplay.

[Petronski]

I wonder if the text of their copy-protection rules is itself copy-protected:

Cold Play

THIS CD IS A COPY PROTECTED CD

Thank you very much for purchasing this CD and helping the cause of "Anti-Piracy". The recordings in this CD have an anti-copying function. They cannot be copied into a PC. In order for you to enjoy high quality music, we have added this special technology.

Before using, please read the following:

USAGE GUIDELINES:

This CD cannot be burnt onto a CD-R or hard disk, nor can it be converted into MP3 for file sharing.

This CD has been manufactured for usage in regular CD players but might not play in the following players:

* Some CD players that have the capability of burning into an MP3 (such as portable players or car stereos)
* Some CD players that possess CD-R/RW functions (such as portable players or car stereos)
* Some car steros with satellite "Guidance" systems
* Some CD players or car stereos with hard disk recording capability
* Some CD-R/RW Recorders used for music
* Some portable CD players
* Some DVD players
* Some CD/LD Convertible Players
* Some Game Players

Although you can use your PC's Windows program to listen to certain tracks, this does not mean that the CD can be played in all PC's.

The first time that this program is used (in Windows automatic starter software) it gets registered in Windows File. Thus, programs already registered do not affect Windows operation.

Windows OS also uses the latest files.

This CD does not support MacIntosh PC software.

Except for manufacturing problems, we do not accept exchange, return or refund.

[rattrap]

The whole album was up on file sharing sites long before release. Just like every album.

[msnimje]

Doesn't really sound like enforceable rules and I doubt they a serious about some of them.

They are just being the same pretentious asses they always have, assuming they know what is best for YOUR listening experiences.

It is the Democratic Party mentality.

.

[Drew68]

It's amazing how the labels always seem to come up with new ways of screwing artists: if they're not cheating them out of royalties, they're systematically alienating their fan-base.

Yep! Why is this such a big deal now? People had been "taping" LPs and CDs onto cassettes for years. Doesn't make it right but the phenomenon is nothing new. Rock stars were still able to become filthy rich (not that there is anything wrong with that).

If I purchased this CD, I'd turn it into a drink coaster and then write the record label and tell them in no polite words why I'm never purchasing anything with their name on it again.

[blu]

Well, I'm going to run right out and buy this CD. Sure, I will only be able to listen to it in the antique CD player in the basement, but that's OK. I mean, who buys a CD they can listen to in the car, on the portable CD?MP3 player for walks, on the computer while I surf, or even in the dvd player in the kitchen, living room, schoolroom or bedrooms?

Thank you Coldplay. You just made my mother happy...I will now have to clean the basement just to listen to your CD. (She always said rock and roll will be the ruination of us all!)

[Little Pig]

Only if it folds before I can get all the Classical music on disc into my library. With high-capacity DVDs, this should only be 100 discs or so (and it has to be decent orchestras, no "eastern bulgaria district philharmonic")

[KarlInOhio]

The posted link also had this:

Needless to say, Exact Audio Copy ripped this cd just fine – but I’m worried about what would’ve happened if I had Autorun turned on.

[wvobiwan]

They're trying to force us ALL to be iTunes/pay-for-play slaves. I respect their desire to get paid tho, so I guess I'll have to give in and get a service when my favorite bands do this.

Someone will find a way around it tho.

[CurlyBill]

What???? Mr. Gwyneth Paltrow is a greedy corporate type?

[Petronski]

Maybe this is just a gag by Coldplay.
Maybe the "rules" are tongue-in-cheek.