This is one customer's interaction with CD-WOW over a corrupt disc
release he purchased.  It demonstrates once again that CD-WOW are
omitting to put warnings on their site due to record company pressure.
The record companies are afraid that being honest about what they are
doing would hurt their sales!

CD-WOW do seem to understand and support the customer's side, though.

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Original message:

  From: XXXXXX
  Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 11:25 PM
  To: help@cd-wow.com
  Subject: Copy protected disc.

  I ordered a CD from you which you have despatched today (5 Oct
  2003). Having read some information on the internet it appears that
  this disc will most likely be copy protected which will not play on
  my CD player.

  If I need to return this item to you, what do I need to do.

  Many thanks.

  XXXXXX.

They replied:

  Hi XXXXXX

  Thanks for your message.

  I'm sorry but yes the ENIGMA - Voyageur is a copy-protected cd.

  Due to the Copy Protection Encryption on the CD, not only will
  this prevent you from playing this in a PC CD drive, but it will
  also hamper the playability on other sources such as car stereos
  and older hi-fi systems.

  I have arranged for a FREEPOST envelope to be sent, first-class
  post, today - to enable you to return the copy-protected disc to
  us.

  We would appreciate it if you enclose a note with the returned
  item, clearly stating the order number (if possible), your name
  and email address, and a very brief description of what is wrong
  with it.

  Upon the return of the CD a full refund will be made to your card.

  If you have any further enquiries then please do not hesitate to
  contact us - we're here to help!

  Kind Regards

  Alex
  www.cd-wow.com

I returned the disc and sent a suggestion email:

  You have been very helpful in allowing me to return a copy
  protected disc I purchased from you because it will not play in
  some of my CD players.

  When you sell a CD that is copy protected (which in fact is not a
  CD at all since it does not comply with the red book standard and
  therefore will not play in many CD players) perhaps you might be
  able to display the copy protected logo next to the title or price
  of the disc. Purchasers can then make a choice whether they wish
  to purchase these discs or not.

  The copy protected logo can be obtained from:
  http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/legal/copy-control.html

  (IFPI's new logo for corrupt discs.)

  More information can also be found at: http://www.ukcdr.org/issues/cd/

  Many thanks.

  XXXXXX.

...to which they replied:

  Hi XXXXXX,

  Just to let you know, we have received the Enigma CD back in the
  office. Sorry that it wasn't quite what you expected.

  Our hands our tied by the record industry in regards to Copy
  Protected CD's. We can't advertise which CD's are CP, as it would
  damage their sales.

  For the records in question, there is only the CP version
  released, so we are unable to stock any regular version.

  I know the Copy Protection is a pain, and that it's pretty
  pointless, but all we can do is offer to exchange or refund these
  items.

  If you would like, before you place your next order, drop us a
  line (0870 350 0925) or an e-mail (help@cd-wow.com) and we'll be
  able to tell you if the CD's you want are Copy Protected.

  If there is anything else I can do for you, please let me know.

  Kind regards,

  Benji
  CD-WOW! Customer Services
  www.cd-wow.com

My response was:

  Thank you for your comments. Just to let you know that I have
  managed to get hold of a non-copy protected version of
  Enigma-Voyager from my local music store - Music Zone Trade
  Direct.

  In terms of not showing that a disc is copy protected on your
  site, I am sorry that you have decided to take this stance on the
  subject. The public should be told when they are not purchasing a
  compact disc - which is what they think they are getting when they
  order a disc from you. Copy protected discs do not conform to the
  red book standard for compact discs and you therefore can not call
  these discs CDs.

  Anyway, I thank you for advising me of future purchases and I will
  email when I need to know if a disc is copy protected or not.

  Thanks

  XXXXXX.

Later I asked cd-wow.com about the version of Duran Duran they had:

  I wonder if you could advise whether the following disc is copy 
  protected as they will not play in some of my CD players and have 
  been known to cause damage to some equipment: 
  a.. DURAN DURAN - Duran Duran (Limited Gatefold Wallet Edition) - 
  http://www5.cd-wow.com/detail_results.php?product_code=5680 

  Many thanks. 

  XXXXXX. 

Their reply was: 

  Hi XXXXXX, 

  Thank you for contacting us. 

  I have checked with our warehouse for you and can see no 
  information that indicates this title is copy protected so 
  therefore will be safe to order. 

  Hope this helps and thank you for shopping with us at CD WOW!. 

  Kind regards 

  Marc 
  www.cd-wow.com 

The disc arrived today. Guess what, it is copy protected!!! .. and
it is clearly stated on the back. I am now going to contact them to
return it.

This is going to be a real pain having this hassle everytime I want to
buy a CD. I have always been against copying CDs (have about 250 and
they are all originals). I'm beginning to think it would be easier to
get a copy for £2.50. In fact, I might just consider doing this if I
am not able to get hold of a normal CD version of a recording I want.
All I can see is that this copy protection lark will increase the
number of pirate sales.

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