When new music hits the streets before the official record company release date, usually you can count on the bootleg CD to be available from Cali to Baltimore (I got to shout out my hometown). Bootlegging has been so popular it has often times made artist go back into the studio to record new tracks to keep fans interested. I mean why go buy a sixteen dollar CD when you can get it from your boy for five dollars, right?
Well, record companies have begun to realize the damage bootleg CD’s have been doing to their incoming profit, with the 4.2 billion dollars of revenue that has been lost just for burning CD’s. Each of the five major record labels is in the process of formulating a way for consumers to have a CD but be unable to make any copies on a CD burner.
The record companies say the new anti-copying device they are hoping to produce will allow the CD to make one copy then freeze any further copying. One of the major concerns of members of congress is that the device will violate a consumer’s right to play, copy or record music for personal use. Although no official word has been given on whether or not this device will be implemented on all CD, two hip-hop albums have already been given this device, The More Fast and Furious and Pretty Willie’s debut album.
