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This is actually about a month old, but it’s cool enough for me to post now.

Switchfoot’s new album, Nothing is Sound, was released on CD’s that people were having problems with. Namely, it had copy protection that was preventing people from ripping the songs into iTunes (and subsequently putting on their iPods). Several people complained on the Switchfoot forum (no link, because it’s disappeared…we’ll get to that), and one of the band members responded:

my heart is heavy with this whole copy-protection thing. Many PC users have posted problems that they have had importing the new songs (regular disc only, not the dual disc) into programs such as Itunes. Let me first say that as a musician AND as a music fan, I agree with the frustration that has been expressed. We were horrified when we first heard about the new copy-protection policy that is being implemented by most major labels, including Sony (ours), and immediately looked into all of our options for removing this from our new album. Unfortunately, this is the new policy for all new major releases from these record companies. It is heartbreaking to see our blood, sweat, and tears over the past 2 years blurred by the confusion and frustration surrounding this new technology. It is also unfortunate when bands such as ourselves, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, etc… (just a few of the new releases with copy protection) are the target of this criticism, when there is no possible way to avoid this new industry policy.

The original post, and the Google cache, are both gone. In fact, there isn’t even a FORUM for Switchfoot anymore.

I’m guessing Sony didn’t take too kindly to the above quote. Regardless, Sony quietly “fixed the glitch” by calling the discs faulty, and offering to replace them.

It’s well-known that I’m no fan of music piracy. But that having been said, I’m a huge proponent of people being able to use the music they’ve purchased in whatever way they please…and that (gasp!) includes listening to them on their iPods. You record labels need to promptly remove your heads from your collective ass, and stop trying to legislate through your products.

Switchfoot, bravo.