(idm) CDS & EP time limits

From Irene McC
Sent Sun, Nov 23rd 1997, 19:34

(from previous mail)

> > Actually, it's 40 minutes. The Orb track was 39:58 [...]

Wonder how many versions of Blue Room there are?  I've got it here 
(at 14.58) on Orb Live 93.

But what I really would love to know is WHY there are limitations as
regards running time?  Surely it limits creativity and, erm 'artistic
integrity' to be thus bound by time?  Isn't there also a 4- track
limit to EP's which causes so many "hidden tracks" that are on the CD
but simply not listed on the sleeve? 

Who makes these rulings?  What is the point?  Who scores?

I
*

"Incomplete without surface noise"
                            - Autechre