I don't know if I have copy protection on them. But I was shocked last time I wanted to add a new CD and I plugged my Walkman in and it would not transfer. It thought I was using a new computer but it was just reformated. I had to rip all those CDs again and clean everything off the Walkman. I don't need to keep all the songs on my hardrive. Just whatever file that allows me to keep adding songs.