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

[Jim Peters]

Jim Peters wrote:
> Are trading standards under any obligation to act on a consumer
> complaint ?  If so, then I'll certainly get back to them and insist on
> some action.  

Okay, I've contacted them again, and got a different person this time.
After some discussion, she agreed to file a report.  She said she
didn't understand the technicalities of what I was saying, but was
willing to write down what I said.  Someone will get back to me in 1-5
days, apparently.

It's clear that we need to really spell it out for people like this --
probably this is an unusual type of issue for them to deal with.

Also, I'm so used to the words `copy-protection' having a negative
connotation when connected to CDs, I forget sometimes that other
people don't see it that way.  Perhaps that's as good a reason as any
to find a good replacement term that more accurately describes the
situation.  (Or maybe I just need to be more careful.)

A few ideas:

  non-compliant CDs
  non-standard audio CDs
  sub-standard CDs  

I got a response back from the OFT, which looks like it might be a
standard `redirect to trading standards' form letter (attached below).
Maybe I didn't emphasise the industry side of this heavily enough.

Maybe these few trial contacts can point out some more possibilities
for this weekend's letter-writing day (Julian?).  

Jim

-- 
 Jim Peters                  (_)/=\~/_(_)                        Uazú
                          (_)  /=\  ~/_  (_)
 jim@                  (_)    /=\    ~/_    (_)                  www.
 uazu.net           (_) ____ /=\ ____ ~/_ ____ (_)           uazu.net

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Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 09:51:33 +0000
From: "Enquiries" <Enquiries at oft.gsi.gov.uk>
To: <jim at uazu.net>
Subject: Re: Copy-protected CDs

Dear Mr Peters

Thank you for your recent email.

Unfortunately, this Office does not have the authority to advise on matters such as this.  However, I suggest that you contact your local Trading Standards Department who may be able to assist with your query.  The Department should be part of your local Borough or County Council. Their website address: www.tradingstandards.gov.uk  

I hope this information helps.
   
Yours sincerely

Zoë Cox
Public Liaison Unit




>>> Jim Peters <jim at uazu.net> 11/12/01 08:44pm >>>
Are you aware of the issue of copy-protected audio CDs ?  These are
audio CDs that are designed to be uncopyable on computers and minidisk
recorders, but supposedly play normally in other CD-compatible
devices.

These have been introduced into the US and German markets especially
over the previous months, and are now starting to appear in the UK.
The most well-confirmed example in this country is the Natalie
Imbruglia CD "White Lilies Island", released 5-Nov.

The problem with all of these copy-protected CDs is that to make a CD
that is uncopyable, you have to break the CD "Red Book" standard,
since computer CD players are designed to read genuine standards-
compliant audio CDs.

Since the manufacturers are bending and breaking the audio CD standard
in making these CDs, we might expect problems in other CD-compatible
devices, and this has indeed occurred.  The Natalie Imbruglia CD has
been found to have problems playing on PlayStation 2 machines and
certain DVD players.

The Natalie Imbruglia CD has no warning labels, and it is sold as a CD
like any other CD.  I would argue that the implicit suggestion is that
this CD is like any other CD, and would be expected to play in any
device that was sold as CD-compatible.

This is clearly a situation that needs correcting.  Ideally it should
be made clear that these disks are something other than a standard CD
at point of sale.  Alternatively, if the CD industry decides to
abandon the existing standard, it should be make clear that other
devices previously sold as CD-compatible are no longer CD-compatible,
and can no longer be sold as such.  (This all assumes that the CD
industry cannot be persuaded to stick to the original audio CD
standard.)


Are you already aware of this ?  Is there anything already being done
to resolve this situation ?

Do you have a position on the issue ?

Is there any other organization that I should talk to about this ?


If you need any more information, I will help as best I can.

Yours faithfully -

Jim Peters

-- 
 Jim Peters                  (_)/=\~/_(_)                        Uazú
                          (_)  /=\  ~/_  (_)
 jim@                  (_)    /=\    ~/_    (_)                  www.
 uazu.net           (_) ____ /=\ ____ ~/_ ____ (_)           uazu.net

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