Amazon DOES publish "copy protection" information, after all
The information I received from Amazon.com was faulty. Amazon DOES publish details about the "copy protection" status of individual music CD's after all.
To find this out I sent an email to the help group at Sony BMG that is mentioned on the web page where they explain (in detail) how to defeat the copy protection on their CD's.
I've received a very polite response from John at the Sony BMG Online Support Team. I had sent an email asking about whether they were making copy protection status information available to their vendors. He said yes with respect to Amazon but agreed to follow up with BMG Music Service, which he verified does not make copy protection information available on their web site.
To see an interesting sequence of comments on Amazon.com, check out the new FOO FIGHTERS album on Amazon and what people think of it and its copy protection scheme. It is clearly labeled with the words COPY PROTECTED. Some people don't care, some people think that iPod owners are whiney jerks, some boast of the ease with which they break they copy protection, some are stymied, and some are vociferously opposed to the whole concept of copy protection.
It is also interesting to read some comments that the existence of the copy protection scheme on the Foo Fighters album has actually increased the likelihood of piracy (or at least, the likelihood of unathorized copying).
Update 8/3/05
I received another informative email from John at Sony BMG Online; it's worth providing in full:
Thank you for contacting Sony BMG Online.
One point that most people are missing is that there is more than one content protection process currently in use by the various record companies.
This email address and support website only addresses one of the two most common - as developed by First 4 Internet Ltd.:
http://www.first4internet.co.uk
As such, any information I may be able to provide will only hold true for the Sony BMG titles that use this F4I technology.
The main reason why I bring this up is that the FOO FIGHTERS release you mentioned uses the "other" common content protection from Sunncomm MediaMax International. Should you purchase one of their CDs you will need to contact them for assistance at:
http://www.sunncomm.com/support
BTW: Sunncomm has an email website with a drop down box for "The CD in Question" which lists all their titles. You can see this list at:
http://www.sunncomm.com/support/askthetech.asp
Thank you for the opportunity to be of assistance.
As far as I can tell, the First 4 Internet LtD web site does not list the CD's its technology protects.
Suncomm Copy Protected CD's
I went to the Suncomm web site and was able to extract this list of Suncomm-protected CD's (this list was updated on Nov. 25, 2005):
40 Below Summer - The Mourning After
ADEMA - Unstable
Afterdark - New York City
Afterdark - San Francisco
ALEJANDRA GUZMAN - LIPSTICK (VERSION INTERNACIONAL)
ALEJANDRA GUZMAN - LIPSTICK
Alicia Keys - Unplugged - Premium Canadian Release
Alicia Keys - Unplugged - Premium
Alicia Keys - Unplugged - Standard Canadian Release
Alicia Keys - Unplugged - Standard
Amici forever - Defined - Canadian Release
Amici forever - Defined
Ana Victoria - 3 Song Sampler
Ana Victoria - 5 Song Sampler
Ana Victoria - Love Is All
Angie Stone - Stone Love
Anthony Hamilton - Ain't Nobody Worryin'
Anthony Hamilton - Comin' From Where I'm From
Aretha Franklin - So Damn Happy
Automatic Black - 3 Song Sampler
Automatic Black - Automatic Black - Album Sampler
Avril Lavigne - Under My Skin
Babyface - 4 Song Sampler
Babyface - A Love Story
Babyface - Babyface 5 Song Sampler
Babyface - Grown & Sexy - Canadian Release
Babyface - Grown & Sexy
Backstreet Boys - Never Gone - Canadian Release
Backstreet Boys - Never Gone
Bargrooves - Terrazza
Bebel Gilberto - Bebel Gilberto
Ben Kweller - On My Way
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl
Blitzkrieg Pop - T. Raumschmiere
Blu Cantrell - Bittersweet
Boyd Tinsley - Boyd Tinsley
Boyz II Men - Throwback
Brand New - Deja Entendu
Brian Wilson - What I Really Want For Christmas
Britney Spears - In The Zone
Britney Spears - Remixed - Canadian Release
Britney Spears - Remixed
CARTEL DE SANTA - VOL. II
Cassidy - I'm a Hustla (edited)
Cassidy - I'm A Hustla (Explicit) - Canadian Release
Cassidy - I'm a Hustla (explicit)
Cassidy - Split Personality (explicit)
Cee Lo Green - Cee Lo Green...Is The Soul Machine
Charlie Wilson - 5 Song Sampler
Charlie Wilson - Charlie Last Name Wilson
Charlotte Martin - On Your Shore
Chris Brown - Chris Brown
Christopher Lawrence - All Or Nothing
Citizen Cope - Under The Sun
Clay Aiken - Merry Christmas With Love
Cook Dixon Young - Volume One
Cuban Link - Chain Reaction - Demo
Cuban Link - Chain Reaction (Explicit)
da Brat - Limelite Luv n Niteclubz (Explicit)
da Brat - Limelite Luv & Niteclubz (Edited)
Dave Matthews Band - Stand Up - Canadian Release
Dave Matthews Band - Stand Up
David Gray - Life In Slow Motion - Canadian Release
David Gray - Life In Slow Motion
Death Threat - Now Here Fast!
Dido - Dido Live
Dido - Life For Rent
Dido - White Flag
Donell Jones - Album Sampler
Donell Jones - Journey Of A Gemini Sampler
Donovan Banzana - Life's Code Of Ethics
Elvis Presley - Close Up Sampler
Elvis Presley - Live In Texas 1972
Elvis Presley - The Magic Of Nashville
Elvis Presley - Unreleased Movie Gems
Elvis Presley - Unreleased Stereo Masters From The `50s
ERIK RUBIN - ERIK RUBIN
Eve6 - It's All In Your Head
Faithless - Forever Faithless
FlamBey - The Flamerous Life
Foo Fighters - 7 Song Sampler
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor (Acoustic)
Foo Fighters - In Your Honor (Electric)
Frequent Flyer - Bombay
Frequent Flyer - Rio De Janeiro
From Zero - My So-called Life
Gavin DeGraw - Chariot Album Sampler
GOB - Foot In Mouth Disease
Goldfrapp - Supernature
Hadley - Hadley
Heather Headley - this is who I am
Hot Import Nights - Driving Beats
Ike and Tina Turner - The Early Sessions
Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
In Essence - The Master Plan
Jacksoul - PROMO - HMV value add
jacksoul - Resurrected
James Taylor - Hourglass
Jamie Foxx - Unpredictable - THE SAMPLER
Jeff Bates - Good People
Jim Brickman - Grace - Canadian Release
Jim Brickman - Grace
J-Kwon - Hood Hop (Edited)
J-Kwon - Hood Hop (Explicit)
Jody Sticker - 5 Minutes
Judd And Maggie - Subjects
J-Zone - A Job Aint Nuthin but Work
Kalan Porter - 219 Days
Kasabian - Kasabian - Canadian Release
Kasabian - Kasabian
Keith Anderson - Three Chord Country And American Rock & Roll
Kelis - Tasty (Edited)
Kelis - Tasty (Explicit)
Ken Oak - Half Step Down
Kenny G - 4 Song Sampler
Keshia Chanté - Sampler
Kings Of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak - Canadian Release
Kings Of Leon - Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings Of Leon - Youth And Young Manhood
LA 5a. ESTACION - FLORES DE ALQUILER
Leilani Jaster - Leilani Jaster
Len Doolin - Once In A Lifetime
Leo Kottke/Mike Gordon - Sixty Six Steps
Living Things - Ahead Of The Lions
Longwave - There's A Fire
Los Razos - La Raza Anda Acelrada (Explicit)
Manmohan Waris - Nachiye Majajne
Mario - Here I Go Again
Maroon 5 - Live: Friday the 13th
Maroon 5 - Maroon 5 Live - Friday The 13th - Canadian Release
MARTIN RICCA - ENAMORADO
Mashonda - January Joy
Melissa O'Neil - Melissa O'Neil - Canadian Release
MIJARES - CAPPUCCINO
Moderato - Detector De Metales
Moenia - Stereo Hits
My Morning Jacket - it still moves
My Morning Jacket - Z
Nathaniel Kimble - Better Get Ready
Nikka Costa - Can'tneverdidnothin' - Australian Release
Nodesha - Get It While It`s Hot
North Star - Pollyanna
Other - Please Detail in Question
Other - Please detail in your question
Our Lady Peace - Healthy In Paranoid Times - Candadian Release
Out Of Your Mouth - Draghdad
Outkast - Speakerboxxx
Ozomatli - Street Signs
PANTEON ROCOCO - TRES VECES TRES
Paul van Dyk - Politics of Dancing 2
Pedro Vargas - Pedro Vargas Canta a José Alfredo Jiménez
Peggy Scott-Adams - God Can And He Will
PERSEGUIDOS - III
Peter Cetera - You Just Gotta Love Christmas
Philosopher Kings - Castles
Pink - Try This
Play-N-Skillz - The Album Before The Album
Projet Orange - 4-Track Sampler
Projet Orange - Megaphobe
Quenga - Quenga - U.S. and New Zealand Release
Rachael Yamagata - Happenstance
Raheem DeVaughn - The Love Experience
Ray Charles - Genius Loves Company
Ray LaMontagne - Trouble
Richard Hawley - Cole's Corner
Röyksopp - The Understanding - Australian & New Zealand Release
Sak Pasé Presents Wyclef Jean - Welcome To Haiti Creole 101
SalonMusique - Ultimate Relaxer
SalonMusique - Uptown Conditioner
Santana - All That I Am - Canadian Release
Santana - All That I Am
Sarah McLachlan - Afterglow Live
Sarah McLachlan - Afterglow
Sarah McLachlan - Bloom (Album Remix)
Sarah Mclachlan - Fallen
Say Anything - Say Anything...is a Real Boy - Canadian Release
Say Anything - Say Anything...is a Real Boy
Say Anything - Say Anything...was a Real Boy - Canadian Release
Say Anything - Say Anything...was a Real Boy
SHAILA - SHAILA
Shane Capone - Heated Speech
Shawn Desman - Back For More - Canadian Release
Shawn Desman - Sampler - Canadian Release
Shawn Kane - Full Version Sampler
Shawnie - The Return
Silvertide - Show And Tell (Edited)
Silvertide - Show And Tell (Explicit)
Skrape - Up The Dose
Sloan - A Sides Win: Singles 1992 - 2005 - Canadian Release
Sloan - Action Pact
Smitty - Life Of A Troubled Child (Album Advance)
Soil - Redefine
Soundtrack - Masters of Horror Soundtrack Sampler
Soundtrack - The Cave
Soundtrack - XXX: State of the Union (edited)
Soundtrack - XXX: State of the Union (explicit)
Sountrack - XXX: State Of The Union (Explicit) - Canadian Release
South - With The Tides
Spymob - Sitting Around Keeping Score
StellaStarr* - 4 Song Sampler
StellaStarr* - Album Advance
Stellastarr* - Harmonies For The Haunted - Canadian Release
Stellastarr* - Harmonies For The Haunted
Steve Myland - Not Every Rhyme Has A Reason
Strawberry Shortcake - Premium Giveaway
Suburban Tragedy - Tonight We'll Watch The Sun Come Up
Syleena Johnson - Chapter 3: The Flesh
Syleena Johnson - Chapter 3: The Flesh - Canadian Release
T. Raumschmiere - Blitzkrieg Pop
Tazz Calhoun - It's All Good
Tears For Fears - 3-Song Sampler
Tears For Fears - Everybody Loves A Happy Ending
Tha Rayne - Didn`t You Know
The Appearance - Are We Not Entertained?
The Calling - Two Copy
The CD in Question</span>
The Chieftains - Live From Dublin; A Tribute To Derek Bell - Canadian Release
The Chietains - Live From Dublin; A Tribute To Derek Bell
The Crystal Method - Legion of Boom
The Neptunes - The Neptunes Present...Clones
The Residents - Animal Lover
The Sound Of Urchin - The Diamond
The Strokes - Album Advance
The Strokes - First Impressions Of Earth
The Trews - Den of Thieves - Canadian Release
The Warlocks - Surgery
Theo - Chemistry...You And Me
Tita & Sãozinha - Papá
TOÑITA - LAS CUENTAS CLARAS
T-Pain - Rappa Ternt Sanga - Edited
T-Pain - Rappa Ternt Sanga - Explicit
UGK - Jive Records Presents: UGK - Chopped & Screwed
Usher - Confessions
VARIOS - MISION S.O.S.(AVENTURA Y AMOR)
Various - 2005 NARM Sampler
Various - Arista Fall 2003 Sampler Promo CD
Various - Canadian Idols: High Notes - Canadian Release
Various - Down South Party Mix!
Various - Elizabethtown - Songs From the Brown Hotel
Various - Masters of Horror Radio Sampler
Various - Masters Of Horror
Various - Reflections
Various - Relaxation: A Windham Hill Colletion
Various - So Amazing An All Star Tribute To Luther Vandross
Various - So Amazing An All-Star Tribute To Luther Vandross - Canadian Release
Various - Urban International Sampler
Various Artists - Majestic II
Various Artists - Music Snapshot of LG Action Sports Championship
Velvet Revolver - Bonus Material
Velvet Revolver - Contraband (Edited)
Velvet Revolver - Contraband (Explicit)
Vertical Horizon - Go
Vue - Down For Whatever
Wakefield - American Made
Wakefield - What Side Are You On? (explicit)
Wakefield - Which Side Are You On? (edited)
Whitney Houston - One Wish
Whitney Houston - Try It On My Own
Wyclef Jean - The Preacher`s Son
Yaga Y Makie - Clase Aparte
Yogacharya Swami Kripalvanandji - Premdhara 3 & 4 - U.S. & India Release
Yogacharya Swami Kripalvanandji - Premdhara 5 & 6 - U.S. & India Release
Yogacharya Swami Kripalvanandji - Premdhara 7 & 8 - U.S. & India Release
YoungBloodZ - Drankin` Patnaz
YoungBloodZ - Ev'rybody Know Me (Edited)
YoungBloodZ - Ev'rybody Know Me (Explicit)
Yung Wun - The Dirtiest Thirstiest (Edited)
Yung Wun - The Dirtiest Thirstiest (Explicit)
To be honest, I don't recognize most of these other than Avril Lavigne, Aretha Franklin, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Dave Matthews, Leo Kottke, Ray Charles, Whitney Huston, David Gray. And, oh yes, Elvis Presley.