It can get worse! There does not seem to be a way to 'write-protect' the disc. I've tried copying to DVD or CD (doesn't matter if these are -R, +R or RW) ... depending on your (control panel) options of how to view your disc files, ... if your computer does not recognize the type of file, ... it will think it is a 'blank' disc and allow you to FORMAT the disc. And, when you do this, you have just lost the "directory" tracks and your files. So, ... don't count on using the discs as a permanent 'backup' file.