CDDB: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

CDDB is a database for software applications to look up CD (compact disc) information over the Internet. This is performed by a client which calculates a (nearly) unique disc ID and then queries the database. As a result, the client is able to display the artist name, CD title, track list and some additional information.

The database is used primarily by media player and CD ripper software.

CDDB was invented by Ti Kan and Steve Sherf. The source code was released under the GNU General Public License, and thus many people submitted CD information believing that the contributions, too, would remain freely available to others. Later, however, the project was sold and the license conditions were changed to include certain terms that have threatened many programmers in a way they couldn't accept: If you want to access CDDB, you are not allowed to access any other CDDB-like database (such as FreeDB) and - while accessing the database - the programmer has to ensure that a CDDB logo is displayed.

In March 2001, CDDB, now owned by Gracenote, banned all unlicensed applications from accessing their database. New licenses for CDDB1 (the original version of CDDB) were not available anymore, as they wanted to force programmers to switch to CDDB2 (a new version incompatible with CDDB1 and hence with FreeDB).

The licence change motivated a new project, FreeDB, which is intended to remain free.

An alternative project that aims to enhance CDDB beyond a mere database of CDs is called MusicBrainz. Their site also contains more information on CDDB and some database statistics of CDDB and FreeDB.

Another commercial alternative to CDDB is AMG's (All Media Guide) All Music Guide database. The AMG database is considered to be more comprehensive and of higher quality because of quality controls that CDDB lacks. Microsoft's Windows Media Player and Musicmatch Jukebox use the AMG database to recognize CDs like CDDB with the benefit of having higher quality and more comprehensive information supplied to users.