Record label to critic: we’re watching you (kinda)

Don Day August 23rd, 2007

TVBarn’s Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star received a screener copy of the soundtrack to Ken Burns’ upcoming “The War” documentary. The sleeve and CD were personalized for each critic, and included this warning: “This promotional CD is Watermarked and therefore is unique and traceable. The Copyright Owner is able to monitor its use and identify the source of any unauthorized copies. The Copyright Owner will take appropriate action in respect of any misuse of promotional CD releases.” Scary. The problem? The envelop stuffer got a little off their list - and sent Aaron Barnhart the CD meant for the Wall Street Journal’s Brooks Barnes. Aaron’s response? “You’ll be seeing that copy on eBay later today. Hey, it ain’t my scalp!”