So last night I picked up the most recent Black Rebel Motorcycle Club album "howl", and when I put it into my laptop this is what popped up:

Before you can play the audio files on YOUR COMPUTER or create and/or transfer the DIGITAL CONTENT to YOUR COMPUTER, you will need to review and agree to be bound by an end user license agreement or "EULA", the terms and conditions of which are set forth below. Once you have read these terms and conditions, you will be asked whether or not you agree to be bound by them. Click "AGREE" if you agree to be bound. Click "DISAGREE" if you do not agree to be bound. Please keep in mind, however, that if you do not agree to be bound by these terms and conditions, you will not be able to utilize the audio files or the DIGITAL CONTENT on YOUR COMPUTER.

As soon as you have agreed to be bound by the terms and conditions of the EULA, this CD will automatically install a small proprietary software program (the "SOFTWARE") onto YOUR COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE is intended to protect the audio files embodied on the CD, and it may also facilitate your use of the DIGITAL CONTENT. Once installed, the SOFTWARE will reside on YOUR COMPUTER until removed or deleted. However, the SOFTWARE will not be used at any time to collect any personal information from you, whether stored on YOUR COMPUTER or otherwise.

As far as I can tell unless you agree to this, and install their asinine software you cannot play this on a computer; I tried both itunes and windows media player and it's so stuttery it's impossible.

I personally find this very annoying and it's making me seriously consider just how much of my money I'm willing to spend on them in the future. I realise they're trying to stop pirating, but I just don't believe for a second that some bands are starving in the streets because of file sharing.

Try copying the CD with a program called "Alcohol". I don't have the program so I can't tell you for sure but I hear its very handy at getting around that kind of thing.

The only safe answer is to not buy cds from Sony/BMG and EMI, and to check the net before you buy from other major labels.

Posted by kowalski The only safe answer is to not buy cds from Sony/BMG and EMI, and to check the net before you buy from other major labels.

I didn't know EMI did it too. Sony-BMG at least has started letting people know about it. there was a lot of outrage a few months back because the software was automatically installing w/o any type of warning/notice to the user.

but yeah, seems like the only way to avoid it is just not to buy it. if I had known this was part of the deal there is NO WAY I would have bought it.

I'd be careful with what it's already done, I know that some forms of this stuff install themselves or at least part of the package REGARDLESS of whether you agree to the license or not.

This is why I turn off Autoplay... Google Tweak UI.

Posted by kowalski The only safe answer is to not buy cds from Sony/BMG and EMI, and to check the net before you buy from other major labels.

for once, i agrees with the Kowalski... this is some ridiculous crap. You already SPENT MONEY ON THE CD!!! THEY GOT THEIR MONEY... WTF DO 'THEY' NEED TO INSTALL SHITWARE ON YOUR COMPUTER????

Idiots.

Samurai

Just pop in a discman and hook it into the line in. Record with favorite recording software.

I have found with some of them, you can explore the disc and just copy the files manually, and them compress them with WMP, or Audiograbber or something like that. I'm not saying it will work every time, but it's one way I've gotten around stupid players / proprietary software before.

Posted by Servo This is why I turn off Autoplay... Google Tweak UI.

And if you don't wana download and install Tweak UI, you can turn it off like this:

Start -> run -> gpedit.msc
User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Turn Off Autoplay (enable it)

Lots of other fun little things to be found in there too. =]

-Me!

Posted by kowalski The only safe answer is to not buy cds from Sony/BMG and EMI, and to check the net before you buy from other major labels.

Well put. I usually only buy a cd if the musician/band needs it (an independant band), and if it's on a major record label, why support them and their bullshit?

EAC - Exact Audio Copy

Team that up with a 3rd party compressor like LAME.exe, and it'll plow through anything, albeit a little slowly.

Detailed instructions on using EAC can be found here

The Coaster Factory is a great resource, btw.

Posted by LostintheWoods EAC - Exact Audio Copy Team that up with a 3rd party compressor like LAME.exe, and it'll plow through anything, albeit a little slowly. Detailed instructions on using EAC can be found here The Coaster Factory is a great resource, btw.

thanks lost. sorry to everyone that I haven't gotten back to this thread sooner, but I needed a break from UER. anyway, thank you all for your suggestions, and as I have a new laptop now I will try these methods if I decide to put it in my music files.

Posted by honeysdead thanks lost. sorry to everyone that I haven't gotten back to this thread sooner, but I needed a break from UER. anyway, thank you all for your suggestions, and as I have a new laptop now I will try these methods if I decide to put it in my music files.

Welcome back! Did you get the new JAMC reissues? Each CD comes with the videos from that album's singles. Sweet! And it's NOT on Sony-BMG.

no I haven't picked them up yet. been meaning to get around to it, but you know how that goes :p