MobileContentToday
 
Receive mediabistro.com's Daily MobileContentToday Feed via email


Daily Media Newsfeed Click here to receive mediabistro.com's Daily Media Newsfeed via email.

Wednesday Apr 23, 2008

Microsoft to Screw Over MSN Music Buyers

Zune.jpgAccording to Slashdot, Microsoft said it would be turning off the PlaysForSure DRM servers used to authorize playback of music purchased from the now-defunct MSN Music store. That means that anyone who bought music via the service can no longer transfer that music off the computers it's currently authorized for.

The restriction also means that customers can no longer upgrade a computer, say, from Windows XP to Windows Vista, since that requires re-establishing the license keys for the music on that machine.

Score another win for broken "copy protection," and for honest consumers getting the short end of the stick. The servers are scheduled to go down permanently on August 31st, 2008.

Microsoft is still trying to gain traction with its new Zune service and associated Zune Marketplace, which uses a completely different DRM scheme that's not compatible with the above PlaysForSure. That's aside from the DRM-free tracks, which make up about 30% of the offerings. Anyone want to buy some good old CDs yet?




new on mediabistro.com

How to Write an Arts and Culture Review

Learn everything you need to know to write a smart, publishable review of music, film, books, theater or any other arts and culture topic.
Watch the video

Email This Post

Fill out the following information and click on the Send button in order to send this post, Microsoft to Screw Over MSN Music Buyers, to a friend.
Friend's name
Friend's email address
Your name
Your email address
Note to your friend (optional, max 200 Characters)

Read more on MobileContentToday >

MobileContentToday is a blog about mobile content

Managing Editor:
Susan Schrank

Contributing Editor:
Jamie Lendino

About

Syndication

Anonymous Tips


mb Blogs

FishbowlNY

FishbowlDC

FishbowlLA

TVNewser

PRNewser

AgencySpy

GalleyCat

UnBeige

MobileContentToday

Categories

About

About Us - Modules

About Us - Subheader Module

Apple

AT&T

Data Services

eBooks

GPS, Maps, and Directions

Handsets

Internet Radio

Media Deals

Messaging

Mobile

Mobile Advertising

Mobile Commerce

Mobile Games

Mobile Music

Mobile Video

Mobile Web

Motorola

MVNOs

Networks

Nokia

Online Video

Photo Sharing

Portals

Social Networking

Software

Sprint

T-Mobile

Tips and Tricks

Verizon

Voice Plans

Links

mb News Feed

Archives

May 2008

April 2008

March 2008

February 2008

more...


Recent

Yahoo CEO Prepares Troops

Orange, Apple Grow More iPhone Deals

Mobile DRM Vendor Bought Out


Subscribe

Click here to receive the Daily Media News Feed by email.

Job Listings

Featured Listings

Sales Manager - Licensing
Washington G2 Reports
Newark, NJ

Become a partner


ADVERTISEMENT


mediabistro.com l Member Benefits l Jobs l Freelance Marketplace l Courses l Events l Forums l Content
mediabistro Blogs: Media News l TVNewser l GalleyCat l UnBeige l FishbowlNY l FishbowlLA l FishbowlDC l mbToolbox l PRNewser l AgencySpy l MobileContentToday
Site Map l Advertising/Sponsorships l Partners l About Us l Contact Us/Help

JupiterOnlineMedia

internet.comearthweb.comDevx.commediabistro.comGraphics.com

Search:

Jupitermedia Corporation has two divisions: Jupiterimages and JupiterOnlineMedia

Jupitermedia Corporate Info


Legal Notices, Licensing, Reprints, & Permissions, Privacy Policy.

Web Hosting | Newsletters | Tech Jobs | Shopping | E-mail Offers