[Free-sklyarov-uk] Action that can be taken

[Jim Peters]

Well, I've just been on the phone to Trading Standards in Birmingham,
and basically they're not interested in taking this up.  The guy said
that if the CD works in a CD player, it does the job as advertised.
If it doesn't play in DVDs, PS2s, computers, laptops and so on, then
this is an issue to be raised with the manufacturers of those devices,
not with the CD manufacturer.

He seemed to give no value to the fact that this CD isn't standards-
compliant, and that the CD manufacturers are intentionally bending and
breaking the rules.

This might just be the opinion of this one guy -- but he simply
wouldn't be budged.  Could someone who's bought the N.I. CD try this
same thing with their local trading standards ?  It may be that other
offices would hold a different view.

Well, we all know what nonsense this point of view is.  It completely
rubbishes the notion of backwards compatibility for future
multi-format players, and forwards compatibility for your existing CD
collection.  It makes the CD specification worthless, and gives the
record companies open season on doing what they like with the CD
format so long as it plays `as advertised' on devices labelled as "CD
players".

I wonder if Trading Standards have been primed on this issue by the
record companies.  That would be a frightening thought.  The guy was
completely clear on his position on this issue, even though he said I
was the first person to complain to him about this.

That's why I'd like other people to try.

If this guy's position is the `legally correct' one, then that does
leave the DVD, PS2 and computer manufacturers in a bit of a difficult
position -- they are claiming CD compatibility, but things sold as CDs
won't work on them.

Perhaps the suggestions below are more valid than ever now.

Jim

> ----- Forwarded message -----
> 
> To: <cd at uk.eurorights.org>
> Subject: Action that can be taken
> 
> I have a couple of ideas of how to put pressure on the record companies.
> 
> The Sony computer entertainment division that make playstation and
> playstation 2 is the biggest source of income for SONY it brings in more
> revenue than the rest of the company put together. One of the selling points
> for the PS2 is that it can become the centre of your home entertainment
> system being able to play games music and DVD's. Anyone who owns a
> playstation 2 should write to SONY complaining that they can not play music
> on the Playstation 2 so they feel they have been mislead by promotions from
> Sony that claim that the playstation 2 is able to play CD's as it is clearly
> not. At the same time write to the advertising standards agency and insist
> that SONY include anywhere they mention the ability of the PS2 to play CD's
> that they must include a statement that says that it is not a CD player and
> so will not play all music CD's.
> 
> Encourage visitors to your site to go and register their complaint with
> watchdog http://www.bbc.co.uk/watchdog get some TV coverage.
> 
> Microsoft and Apple are both heavily promoting the ability of their software
> to become the digital hub allowing you to watch video and listen to music,
> lets get them in on this as they have a lot to lose if the protection
> schemes go mainstream.
> 
> ----- End forwarded message -----

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