EMI will kick off its commercial testing of copy-protected content in the United States with the July 19 release of Jermaine Dupri’s “Jermaine Dupri Presents…Young, Fly & Flashy, Vol. 1,” sources tell Billboard.biz. In June, EMI confirmed to Billboard that it would launch copy-protected titles in the United States during the summer.
The So So Def/Virgin album marks the first time EMI has experimented in the United States with technology that will block consumers from unrestrained ripping and burning. Consumers purchasing Dupri’s album can rip a full disc one time per computer, burn any individual track seven times, and make up to three full copies of each album. The content can also be transfered to Windows Media-friendly portable devices.
According to an EMI representative, the company may test copy protection on a handful of August releases as well. EMI is using Macrovision’s technology for copy protection.
Dupri’s lead single, “Gotta Getcha,” continues to climb Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot 100 charts at No. 35 and No. 83, respectively.
