Apple's dominance in digital music means consumers are often presented with a choice. They can buy a copy-protected CD and not have the ability to upload the tracks to their iPod, or they can buy the tracks at an online digital store. SunnComm copy protection, which Sony BMG employs on its CDs, is not compatible with FairPlay, Apple's digital rights management system. The discs contain Red Book tracks for CD players and Windows Media for copying to a computer.

Kinkysweet Recordings, a dance music label born from the ashes of Moonshine Music, wants to let consumers know its music is DRM-free and will function normally with iPods. (DRM-free means it's a normal CD that can be ripped to MP3 files.) Kinkysweet has gone through the trouble and expense of stickering some of its CDs with a sticker that reads, "iPod FRIENDLY" and underneath that "This audio CD is compatible with all portable media players." The CD pictured is Frequent Flyer: Mile High Club. (My apologies for the blurry photo.)

An employee at the store told me the sticker has been a good selling point. Not a surprise, especially considering shoppers who want to by Frequent Flyer: Mile High Club don't have the iTunes option since the album is not for sale there.

Extra credit:

• Copy Monopoly. (Pollstar) An article on SunnComm's technology in this tour trade magazine.
• Copyright Crackdown. (PC World) A similar article with a different tone.