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Universal DRM may block PCs from playing CDs

In an effort to protect its copyright material for digital distribution, Universal Music Group Inc. is preparing to incorporate technology that may keep consumers from playing their legally bought CDs over their PCs at work or at home as soon as next month.

The digital rights management (DRM) technology that Universal Music Group is most closely considering is called Cactus Data Shield, from the Israeli company Midbar Tech Ltd., according to a source close to Universal.

The technology would be used to scramble the data on an audio CD so that CD and DVD drives used by PCs can't play them. The technology is expected to be applied to at least one new CD release from Universal before the end of the year, with production to be ramped up after that, the source said.

News source: IDG PCworld

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