Attachment system for write-protect ring for optical disk

A system for attaching an adhesive backed write-protect ring (104, 608) to an optical disk (100) with the center of the ring aligned to the center of the central hole (102) in the disk. A write-protect assembly (600) is formed from a multilayer material having an adhesive backed label layer and a backing layer. The write-protect assembly includes a removable innermost area (308, 606) that, when removed, forms a hole having a diameter that is the same diameter as the central hole of an optical disk. The innermost area is at least partially surrounded by a ring shaped alignment area (306, 610) that is also removable. Finally, the alignment area is surrounded by the write-protect ring. The central area of the assembly is punched out to form a hole and the backing material is removed from at least part (310, 614) of the write protect area, exposing the adhesive coated surface. The assembly and an optical disk are placed onto an alignment cylinder (300, 408). The alignment area of the write-protect assembly ensures that the center of the write-protect ring is aligned to the center of the hole in the disk. Finally, the disk with write-protect ring and alignment area attached is removed from the alignment cylinder and the alignment area of the write-protect assembly is removed, leaving just the write-protect ring attached to the disk. The hub (408) of the plastic insert tray (406) of a CD jewel case (402) may be used for an alignment cylinder. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the write-protect assembly is placed onto the hub first, and the design of the assembly is such that the hub helps remove the central area and the hub helps removal of the backing over the write-protect ring.