i bought a cd but you can only copy it to a protected wma using ONLY the software thats on the cd.
is there anyway i can copy it as a normal mp3 or convert the wmas so i can play them on my pc and mp3 player?

also while it rips the tracks to wmas it secretly installs a program called 'Sony Player'.
any info on this program would be great.

try downloading cheetah audio converter

(search on google, no longer available for download on most download sites)

Don't bother. It's one of the rootkitted Sony DRMed CDs. First of all, you'll need to run the rootkit remover to get rid of it (Winternals.com has the one you want; the Sony one is garbage) and you should then take it back to where it was purchased and ask for a non-DRMed copy (Sony recalled all the DRMed copies). You may also be entitled to a portion of the class-action settlement.

Like plix said get the remover. You dont want to have that Rootkit running on your pc. Return the cd to Sony or the story and ask for your money back.

You could also try recording the cd by connecting your stereo to the line-in of your pc and use a program like jet audio to record it. But that will have some loss of quality maybe.

use this(for example) and you wont lose any quality
http://www.supermp3recorder.com/