Sony is currently testing a new form of digital rights management (DRM) called "sterile burning" which allows for copying ripped and burned tracks from a copy-protected disc to a blank CD in WMA format. The idea is that consumers can make limited copies of a purchased CD, but prevents copies being made from the copies themselves. Sony claims the DRM remains in tact when copying from a purchased CD to a blank CD in WMA format.
Sony says the technology has already been released on 10 CD titles (roughly 1 million discs), but does not specify which ones. Does this cross the line of "fair use" in the eyes of the average consumer? Harry Wang, a research analyst for Parks Associates, doesn"t think so.
"The fact is, except for a handful of crooks who really want to make a profit from pirated CD sales, the majority of consumers are innocent and the rights control prescribed by the DRM adequately satisfies their needs. If the control on CDs is reasonable and considerate of consumers" usage patterns, with other incentives, such as bonus features or reduced pricing, I don"t believe consumers will continue to balk at it in the long run."
Don"t expect "sterile burning" to be compatible with iPods since Apple has not licensed its FairPlay DRM for use on CDs.