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Restrictions on audio content
High-quality digital audio content is widely available through music distribution services
on the Internet. To protect the copyrights of its holders from unauthorized distribution,
some audio content is distributed with certain restrictions on recording and playback. For
example, the playback period or playback count for the data may be limited. In such cases,
checking out of the audio contents may not be possible.
Depending on the contents, some audio data that could be checked out are subject to
editing restrictions on the Net MD; e.g., audio contents cannot be erased or track marks
cannot be added or erased.
It is not possible to check in tracks other than those that were checked out from your
computer (for example, tracks recorded using a microphone or through analog or digital
connection).
Features by copyright protection by OpenMG
The SonicStage software features OpenMG, a copyright protection technology developed
by Sony to protect music copyrights. OpenMG uses high-level cryptographic technology to
protect music contents with computers.
Users should be aware of the restrictions described below.
• Music recorded on the hard disk using the SonicStage software cannot be played when
copied to other computers.
• Installation of the same SonicStage software to other computers is not permitted.
• Usage Rules
If Usage Rules are included in the music by way of the copyright holder or the distributor,
operation will be restricted to use permitted by the Usage Rule. For music, such as
compact discs, that does not contain a Usage Rule, the Default Usage Rule of SDMI will
apply. This Default Usage Rule states that one file can be checked out up to three times
only.
• On music contents that are not compatible with the SonicStage software
Under the supervision of SDMI, this software prohibits recording of music with a copy
prohibition signal.
• Upgrading SonicStage software
This software was developed in accordance with the current arrangement between Sony
and SDMI. If this arrangement is modified in the future, some of the software functions
may become unavailable. Sony may offer an upgrade kit in this case at additional user
expense.
