Why are CDs so hard to open?

I use a little gizmo I bought for a couple of bucks at a local CD store to open CDs. It has a channel that fits over an edge of the CD and has an internal blade. You simple slide it along the edge with the sticky label. It slices through the plastic wrap and the label and the case opens right up. You can easily peel the two halves of the sticky label off - plenty of surface to grab.

Ethanh has it right

I'll add a hair more detail
undo the hinge on the lower left
raise the cover up and you can pull the sticker right off

Tom

The aliens are testing our intelligence.

Just about the ONLY thing/product that comes out far too "right" in the USA is packaging ... whether that really thick plasticote seen on flashlights, for example, or aspirin bottles, or CD packaging. The list is endless. Probably LOTS of injuries from people TRYING to open packaging.

If you use the Goo-Gone, do it outside. That's some nasty stuff. I wouldn't want little kids breathing it. It does work though. If some residue remains on the plastic try picking it off with a piece of the tape you've already removed. Usually works for me. I like the mini LP sleeves best. And, takes up a lot less space.