SDMI Set In Stone

The Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI), a consortium of music, consumer electronics, and computer companies, June 28 released preliminary standards for digital music distribution. The standards, which should be finalised within a month, provide technical specifications for portable digital players designed to prevent the players from playing pirated music.

The players will read digital watermarks embedded in CDs to determine whether a copy can legally be made. The SDMI plans to include digital watermarks in CDs sold in stores within 18 months. Existing CDs could still be played on portable digital players, which will play any music that does not contain the protection software designating that it can only be played by the copyright holder.

The standards are controversial, and several issues must still be resolved. The technology that will be used to protect against music piracy is still uncertain. In addition, manufacturers of portable music players may object to the standards, which have been largely determined by record labels.

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