[Resolved] Secure WMA Files

[erikwebb]

One of my clients is about to release a new album and I'd like to put it online for people to listen to. I could put the tracks in Flash movies to prevent downloading, but I'd rather not. Does anyone know of a tool out there to create secure WMA files (or the like) similar to what online music stores have that prevent CD burning, etc.?

[drawmack]

no, but anyway it's a mute point because they make software that can capture the stuff going through the sound card. The person could just use one of those to ''copy'' the file without the protection. You're best bet is to just offer up samples on the site. Maybe one or two complete songs and then the first 30 seconds of the rest. If they don't have the entire song they can't burn the entire song no matter what software they use.

[erikwebb]

I know about that sound card recorder stuff, but only real techies even use that. My artist is a blues musician, I doubt that many of his fans are that technically-inclined.

[Merve]

Almost everybody has the Flash plug-in nowadays. Go with Flash.

[jebster]

Originally posted by erikwebb
I know about that sound card recorder stuff, but only real techies even use that. My artist is a blues musician, I doubt that many of his fans are that technically-inclined.

It only takes one person to copy your music then it will spread! I say just give out files in a crappier quality like 64kbps or something! ;)

[drawmack]

Originally posted by erikwebb
I know about that sound card recorder stuff, but only real techies even use that. My artist is a blues musician, I doubt that many of his fans are that technically-inclined.

don't bet on that one I'm a blues guitarist.

[jebster]

Originally posted by drawmack
don't bet on that one I'm a blues guitarist.

Programmer, Cheif, Guitarist.. jack-of-all-trades?

[erikwebb]

Alright guys, flash seems to be the best route to take then. No method is completely full-proof, I understand that. I guess I just have to rely on honest people. He's not too big on piracy concerns or anything, I just figured he'd appreciate some extra effort from me.

Thanks again everyone.

[drawmack]

Originally posted by jebster
Programmer, Cheif, Guitarist.. jack-of-all-trades?

yeah I was a chef, then I became a programmer and music (guitar, bass & drums) is one of my two hobbies my other hobby is role-playing games which I've been paid to write for so I guess I'm a cooking, programming, music playing, author.

[LordShryku]

Don't forget network security specialist

[drawmack]

Lord,
actually I've never claimed that title. One service that I offer is intrusion risk testing. Not a complet security policy or anything like that.

[LordShryku]

Well, intrusion risk testing takes a good understanding of networks. I just generalized the term.

[ForgotMyPass]

I dont suggest flash, as there are tons of programs that rip the music, sound, actionscript, movieclips and stuff from the movie (and they are easy to get). I suggest just using really crappy sound quality or short clips.

[drawmack]

I don't recommend using crappy quality the person is likely think the quality of the album is crappy.

[erikwebb]

I don't recommend using crappy quality the person is likely think the quality of the album is crappy.My thoughts exactly.

Back to my original question, does anyone know how to create semi-secure *.wma (or similar) files?

[jebster]

Originally posted by drawmack
I don't recommend using crappy quality the person is likely think the quality of the album is crappy.
Well just say that the sound quality has been reduced to reduce music piracy or something.

Originally posted by erikwebb
My thoughts exactly.

Back to my original question, does anyone know how to create semi-secure *.wma (or similar) files?

If I am not mistaken MusicMatch Jukebox can record .wma with "Digital Rights Management"

**EDIT**
In WMP you can "Copy Protect Music" when riping the CD!

[erikwebb]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the "Copy Protect Music" in WMP prevented the files from being played on any other computer. The MusicMatch thing I am unfamiliar with, I will try that soon.

[jebster]

Originally posted by erikwebb
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that the "Copy Protect Music" in WMP prevented the files from being played on any other computer.

My bad, I have never used it before! I assumed it prevented it from being burned or something like that.

[erikwebb]

Crap, I wish I could unresolve this thread........

[Merve]

Originally posted by erikwebb
Crap, I wish I could unresolve this thread........
What you can do is change the subject of the first post in the thread to "Secure WMA Files -- not actually resolved".

[erikwebb]

How would I go about doing this?

But anyways, I think I'm getting distracted. Has anyone here done any work like this in the past?

[Merve]

Originally posted by erikwebb
How would I go about doing this?

But anyways, I think I'm getting distracted. Has anyone here done any work like this in the past?

Go to your the first post of this thread and click on the 'edit' button. In the subject field, change it to whatever you want, or what I posted above.

[erikwebb]

Thanks, so.............Has anyone here done any work like this in the past?

[drawmack]

let me make sure I still understand you're question:

q: Is there a way that I can distribute music via the net so that it is reasonably well protected against piracy?

a: no.

The reason is that utilities like http://download.com.com/3000-2168-10218433.html?tag=lst-0-7 which can effectively remove any protection you put on a sound file.

The standard practice is to do one of a couple of things:
1) use crappy quality
2) post 1 or 2 complete songs and 30 seconds of the rest of the songs
3) use something like flash to make it so that only the tech savy can pirate the music.

[erikwebb]

Alright, I guess since everyone on the Net is not as honest as all of us PHP'ers ;), Flash is the best choice. Thanks everybody for your help.