Music giants in CD 'widgets' row

THE world's top recorded music companies face legal action by a consumer group angered that piracy prevention devices can stop CDs being played on some car stereos and computers.

EMI, Universal Music, Sony and BMG Music face a law suit by Belgian consumers' association Test Achats.

The problem is that anti-piracy devices not only make it impossible to make private copies, which are legal, but also prevent the CD being used on certain equipment such as computers and car stereos, said the association.

It said consumers acting in good faith were victims of an ill-designed attempt by the big four, which dominate recorded music sales, to stop piracy.

The companies have come under pressure because recorded music sales have slumped as consumers use the internet to copy and distribute their copyright recordings. Universal has slashed the price of CDs in the US to boost sales.

But the consumers' association said the widgets on CDs contravene laws in many countries that allow people to copy recorded music for home use.