There is only one good thing about any of this. You can go back to the store and return the open package and say that obviously you couldn't have done a burn because it was copy-protected CD, and that it didn't work on your system (even if it might of).
The ability to return crappy music is also something that should be allowed, especially if CD is so versatile and robust as they say.
The Microsoft argument isn't exactly working for me. It is true that it helped them become "standardized", but standardization is less of an issue with music...well at least non-pop music.
Woops there I go with Pop bashing again.
Anyhow these CD-protection schemes are entirely stupid. The reason is much like software-engineering rules. It is like you have created a final production system for years...and now want to go back and change the requirements specification for the system. It boils down to costly, risky, specification oversight that definitely isn't going to be that simple to correct. This is also the strong impetus to create new projects and specifications, i.e. DVD-A/SACD.
OK, ignore my post completely. I would delete it, but then thomas would look silly 
