A CD insert to make Sony blush

Coldplay's latest CD provides what may be one of the best tools to use against the onslaught of anti-consumer digital rights management technology. Their most recent album, X & Y, now comes in some regions with an insert that warns users not to expect the CD they just purchased to work with just any old CD player (the following exemplar is from India). Stating that "This CD cannot be burnt onto a CD-R or hard disk, nor can it be converted into MP3 for file sharing," the insert goes on to list 12 bullet-pointed exceptions to what devices can actually play the disc.

You might find this notification honest and perhaps even useful. Think again. Not only is the insert on the inside of the CD jewel case, where you can't see it until you've paid for the disc and cracked it open, but the insert kindly informs you that you can't return the merchandise.

By now you may be wondering how this could be used as a tool against the onslaught of DRM. It's simple: copy this warning text, or get your hands on the actual insert, and mail it to everyone that represents you in government. This is a fantastic example of what industry players will do if they can get away with it. And the best part of it all? This copy protection is a complete waste of time; the album is available all over P2P networks, without DRM. Once again, the industry decides that punishing its paying customers is the best way to go. And one user who ended up with the CD found out that he could rip it anyway.