# Sticky Wrapping on CDs/DVDs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 30, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947 "2000-05-30T21:58:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Skott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skott)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/1 "2000-05-30T21:58:33Z")
So, I just bought another DVD and it had tape-like strip across the top of it, preventing it from opening. It had a small barcode on it, but it was the exact same barcode as on the back. Although it had a point saying “PULL”, pulling it did not take it all of. Manipulation, fingernails, and finally scissors were required before removal was complete. This tape strip has been on CDs for as long as I can remember, and is now showing up on keep cases for DVDs. Why? What is its purpose? Extra-security? Since they’re shrink-wrapped, I don’t see how it help. Ease in scanning for sale? The same barcode that exists on the tape strip exists on the back as well. To madden and frustrate the consumer who just cut his/her fingernails? Possibly… but not exactly logical. Is there a logical reason? ---
**Author:** ![mrblue92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@mrblue92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrblue92)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/2 "2000-05-30T22:21:54Z")
The obvious WAG is anti-theft–anything that makes it take you longer to open the package gives them that much longer pick out the thief. As for how to get them off, I always pull them off very slowly in one piece so I don’t leave that nasty sticky residue. When removing, try pulling gently out from the sticker rather than across it so you unstick one entire side before attempting to remove it. Usually I just say, “Here, let me do that…” ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/3 "2000-05-30T22:24:02Z")
My personal impression is that the shrinkwrap that surrounds the whole CD package is what is made to prevent theft. Though some DVD’s I’ve purchased aren’t shrinkwrapped “in toto”. According to [this site](http://www.sdm.sony.com/pkg/label-edge.html), the edge label serves this purpose: > [@](#): > > Description > The edge-label is a thin, opaque, polypropylene film label which is printable (using an automated in-line, print-and-apply process) and is wrapped around the edge of a jewel case disc enclosure. > Application > The edge-label provides a viewable, readable surface for product displayed in a vertical orientation. The edge-label can include information such as: title, manufacturer, SKU, and bar-code. The edge-label also provides an area for an integrated security sticker (a.k.a. closure sticker or dogbone sticker) to ensure authorized, unopened product for return. ---
**Author:** ![Nurlman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Nurlman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nurlman)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/4 "2000-05-30T23:21:01Z")
> [@](#): > > This tape strip has been on CDs for as long as I can remember Does the fact that I remember buying CD’s in license plate-sized “longboxes” mean that I’m officially old now? Oh, 1985. How I miss you. ---
**Author:** ![ATTGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@ATTGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ATTGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2000, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/5 "2000-05-30T23:59:05Z")
When I worked security for a department store, I loved the sticky tape on the edges of CD’s and DVD’s. I would stand at the end of an aisle, and would hear the little _pick pick_ sound that kids made as they tried to open the tape. That’s how I’d know when to look for the cd to go into their pants/pocket/etc. It also helped show intent. Shrink wrap could be “accidentally” taken off, or they would say that they were removing it to see what was underneath the price sticker. But there is no explanation for ripping the tape on the edge of the jewel case. ---
**Author:** ![Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Kilgore\_Trout\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kilgore_Trout_1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/6 "2000-05-31T00:09:00Z")
i love peeling those things off in the same way i like peeling glue off glue bottles. ---
**Author:** ![Hail\_Ants](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/dc4da7/32.png) [@Hail\_Ants](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hail_Ants)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2000, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/7 "2000-05-31T01:35:47Z")
If you look closely you’ll notice that the tape seal also has a hologram on it. It’s to prevent stores that buy used CDs from shrinkwrapping them and selling them as new. ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2000, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/8 "2000-06-01T07:17:03Z")
Just gently pop the bottom hinge out of socket, then pull the front and back apart. It comes off in about 1/2 second, in one piece, leaving no residue. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![Oblong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c0e974/32.png) [@Oblong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oblong)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2000, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sticky-wrapping-on-cds-dvds/20947/9 "2000-06-01T18:46:32Z")
I’ve seen some music stores sell a little knife type thing that you can cut that with. You just slide it over the top of the case and it is supposed to cut it. Never used it but it was only $0.59.