Retail Group GERA Europe Opens Secure-CD Debate

The new European branch of the Global Entertainment Retail Assn. (GERA) is calling for increased dialog with the recording industry over the contentious issue of copy-protected CDs, warning that they may be "misleading" consumers. While reiterating its support in the fight against music piracy, GERA suggests that such discs may "penalize" consumers and retailers more than counteract large-scale piracy.

"Secure CDs in their current form can cause more problems than they solve," said GERA-Europe president Njara Zafimehy following the group's council meeting last week in Brussels. "Many won't play on certain hardware, even though they are legitimately bought. There are not always clear indications as to whether any given CD has technological restrictions. This causes great concern for the retailers and the music-buying public."

The body proposes a three-step solution: Agree on interoperable technologies, inform consumers of the restrictions imposed by the technology through appropriate labelling, and inform retailers as to which technology is being used and why.

In another key issue, the association's member retailers are being urged to begin discourse with Members of European Parliament to stamp out proposed information obligations that could complicate sales promotions. Such requirements would force retailers to supply exact dates that discounted CDs will return to the regular price, divulge the estimated odds of winning a competition, and list the actual value of free gifts.

"We are concerned that the information requirements are very onerous for the retailers, particularly the smaller retailers," says a GERA spokesperson.

GERA Europe was unveiled during this year's Midem (Bulletin, Jan. 22), with a view to creating a pan-European platform for resolving issues in online and traditional entertainment. Its next council meeting will take place Aug. 16 during Popkomm in Cologne.