Serial Copy Management System

<p>The Serial Copy Management System (SCMS) is a <a href="/facts/Copy_protection/kJLMvTU5">copy protection</a> scheme that was created in response to the <a href="/facts/Digital_audio_tape/n03hG7Jm">digital audio tape</a> (DAT) invention, in order to prevent DAT recorders from making second-generation or serial copies.  SCMS sets a "copy" <a href="/facts/Bit/S972NSaD">bit</a> in all copies, which prevents anyone from making further copies of those first copies.  It does not, however, limit the number of first-generation copies made from a <a href="/facts/Master_recording/2EG4KMxC">master</a>.
</p><p>SCMS was also included in consumer <a href="/facts/CD-R/yjBjpaIM">CD-R</a>, <a href="/facts/MiniDisc/yF3LYCqL">MiniDisc</a> and <a href="/facts/Digital_Compact_Cassette/b6wo4BJY">Digital Compact Cassette</a> (DCC) players and recorders.  With the demise of these formats, SCMS is not in widespread use.  However, the concept of SCMS was resurrected in the <a href="/facts/Broadcast_flag/Nbn2npRV">broadcast flag</a>, a measure formerly mandated by the <a href="/facts/Federal_Communications_Commission/Ueghz8W0">Federal Communications Commission</a> (FCC) to limit the copying of digital TV signals. SCMS flags are also included in the <a href="/facts/MP3/yrBpxUSD">MP3</a> specifications, though no known decoder or player honors them. Personal Computers were not required to include SCMS in the US.
</p>

Serial Copy Management System open-in-new

Serial Copy Management System