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Subject:copy-protecting / permanently embedding info on WAVs & MP3s
Posted by: butterball
Date:11/18/2003 2:33:42 PM

My music is popular with friends, who copy/re-burn it and give it to 10 friends, who probably give it to 10 more people, etc.

1) Is there anyway for me to make audio CD's (WAV, MP3) that people can't copy perfectly?

2) Is there a way for me to permanently embed my name, e-mail, etc. so that it's not easily edited out when people make copies?
It's great if my stuff gets passed around, but if my e-mail showed up as part of the song title or something, at least folks who get the songs would have some idea where they came from originally.

Subject:RE: copy-protecting / permanently embedding info on WAVs & MP3s
Reply by: Waskel
Date:11/19/2003 9:38:34 AM

Hmmm, there's an idea. I wonder why SONY MUSIC hasn't thought of that to try to stop music piracy?

Seriously, I sympathize, I know exactly how you feel. But if the music industry, losing millions each year, can't come up with a way, there probably isn't one.

If Sony had had any idea this would happen, would they ever have released the Compact Disc?

Subject:RE: copy-protecting / permanently embedding info on WAVs & MP3s
Reply by: Jacose
Date:11/19/2003 10:23:03 AM

well

if you really want to

cd architect has a really nice copy protection for tracks..

not sure about embedding, alhtough im sure it could be done..

but i tried EAC, Nero, and clone cd and couldnt copy a cd made with the cd architect copy protection flags up. i couldnt even rip mp3s..

however...

i do not think this is a good thing to do to friends ;)

Subject:permanently embedding info on WAVs & MP3s
Reply by: butterball
Date:11/19/2003 11:45:49 PM

It'd be great if people want to copy my music, but I'd sure like to permanently embed my name/e-mail somewhere in the files (so it shows up in the song title, or someplace).

If anyone has any tips on this...

Subject:RE: copy-protecting / permanently embedding info on WAVs & MP3s
Reply by: ATP
Date:11/20/2003 2:53:06 PM

------------------
If Sony had had any idea this would happen, would they ever have released the Compact Disc?
-------------------

fyi, the CD was originally invented and released by Philips. :)

as for the original question, it's not possible with wave files. you could convert your work into mp3, and then add your name/e-mail/etc to the file info.

Subject:adding info to MP3
Reply by: butterball
Date:11/20/2003 4:03:14 PM

How do you add permanent into like that to an MP3?

If I put my e-mail address as part of the song title, can someone just change that?

Thanks for your help

Subject:RE: adding info to MP3
Reply by: ATP
Date:11/21/2003 1:22:05 AM

you can enter the file information (the ID1 and ID2 info it's also called) when you save your work as mp3. however, yes, it is indeed possible for somebody else to change that info. if your friends aren't that computer savvy you could set the properties of the mp3 file to Read Only after you've entered your info. still not completely foolproof, but i think it's the best that can be done.

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