Stephen A. Booth

Access Denied!

How the recording industry’s new copy-protection schemes could keep you from your music

By Stephen A. Booth
Posted March 21, 2002

If the major record labels have their way, that bright red "record" indicator on your CD burner or personal computer could eventually become as unresponsive as the long-wave band on a vintage AM radio. Some of the labels have already released music discs that prevent you from using your computer to make digital copies on either recordable CDs or the computer's hard drive.

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Access Denied II

Hollywood wants to gain remote control over HDTV. Will it succeed?

By Stephen A. Booth
Posted August 22, 2002

Illustrations by Sandra Shap

You're all set to record a pay-per-view movie through the digital set-top box your cable provider installed just hours ago. But when you program it to record, your DVD recorder flashes a cryptic message indicating that the show can't be copied. Must be the usual screw-up by the cable company, you reason.

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Access Denied II

Hollywood wants to gain remote control over HDTV. Will it succeed?

By Stephen A. Booth
Posted August 22, 2002

You're all set to record a pay-per-view movie through the digital set-top box your cable provider installed just hours ago. But when you program it to record, your DVD recorder flashes a cryptic message indicating that the show can't be copied. Must be the usual screw-up by the cable company, you reason. No big deal: you'll just watch it live and call service in the morning.

» Read More

Access Denied II

Hollywood wants to gain remote control over HDTV. Will it succeed?

By Stephen A. Booth
Posted August 22, 2002

Illustrations by Sandra Shap

You're all set to record a pay-per-view movie through the digital set-top box your cable provider installed just hours ago. But when you program it to record, your DVD recorder flashes a cryptic message indicating that the show can't be copied. Must be the usual screw-up by the cable company, you reason.

» Read More