We gave consumers the opportunity to use the forum for open feedback and discussion, both positive and negative. However, after a period of time the opportunity for discussion was abused and so we were forced to take down this forum. There is still opportunity for consumers to contact us via our email address [copycontrol@emi.com.au] should they have any issues.

With the forum gone, how does EMI plan to address consumer complaints in the future?

Via our email address - copycontrol@emi.com.au

Isn't it a fact that Copy Control discs may have problems playing in car CD players because those CD players are in fact CD-ROM drives?

EMI wishes to have its music heard by as many people as possible within a framework that protects the intellectual property rights of our artists and ourselves. We have received reports of playability issues but these have been extremely low [0.02%]. We are working with our technology partner to further improve our playability which is an ongoing process.

Is EMI confident that Copy Control discs are of merchantable quality under trade practices law?

Yes, absolutely. We also fully comply with the international guidelines set by the International Federation of Phonographic Industry.

Is EMI under ACCC investigation over Copy Control? The Age is reporting a complaint has been made - what contact with the ACCC has EMI had over this issue?

Absolutely not. We refer you to the ACCC's website http://www.accc.gov.au/media/mediar.htmmet

We met with the ACCC at the outset to explain our decision to protect our releases and took them through how we would be labelling our product to advise our consumers of this change.

Is Australia a test market for Copy Control?

Australia is not a test market. In Australia we made the decision to go with this technology based upon successful market trials in other countries. There have now been 100 million discs manufactured with this technology worldwide.

Has EMI got Copy Control mastering installed at DATA, EMI's Australian CD manufacturer?

Yes we have, and we see this initiative as crucial to protecting that business,and its employees from illegal activities that erode the legitimate market for CDs.

Which technology, under license from which company, is EMI using for Copy Control?

That information is confidential.

Why? Does EMI think it can achieve security through obscurity? If the technology's so good, what harm can disclosing it do anyway?

Disclosing the technology would undoubtedly make it more susceptible to hackers. Our technology is not 100% effective but we are working with out technology suppliers, based on what we learn from consumer feedback, to further improve the technology.

Analysis indicates some discs marked with the Copy Control logo are in fact just Red Book CDs. Isn't this misleading advertising?

We apply the logo only where we use the technology.

Copies of tracks made available on Copy Control discs are circulating on P2P networks anyway - doesn't this make the technology a little pointless?

The issue is that we must take initiatives to protect the intellectual property of our artists and ourselves when they are being disregarded. As we have stated, our technology is not 100% effective, but we are already seeing evidence that our CDs are not being commercially copied to the same levels as unprotected CDs.

I've had a few reports that Copy Control discs are easily burnt with currently available software anyway - what is EMI going to do about this?

We are constantly working, along with consumer feedback, to upgrade and improve our technology.