Slashdot Mirror


Microsoft-Sony Plan: A Media-Rights Ploy?

sk8rboi writes "Missing in Wed.'s (CNet) reports about the Digital Home Working Group (DHWG) effort from âoeMicrosoft and Sony to make sure DVD players and cell phones can communicate with each other over a home wireless networkâ is the real reason for the work--it's a DRM (digital rights management) play in disguise. Look at it logically. Why would an industry alliance need to define a standard to share an MP3 file between a smart phone and a PC? According to EmbeddedWatch, the answer is, it wouldnâ(TM)t. The file can already be shared via wireless email or WiFi. And both can read the file, since both support MP3. Consumer-electronics systems and computers can already interchange all sorts of files. But what they canâ(TM)t do--and what companies like Microsoft and Sony wish they could--is regulate the transfer of such files (aka block them if theyâ(TM)ve been downloaded for free from KaZaa). (DHWG, by the way, is actually led by Intel.)"

4 of 127 comments (clear)

  1. Is fark.com still up? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    If I ever find myself in junior high again, that site wil rule.

    Unfortunately I'm over 14, so I'm out of fark.com's demographic.

  2. Isnt this just like saying by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    that cell stem research shouldnt be allowed because it allows armies of super zombie head eaters to be made?

    1. Re:Isnt this just like saying by Jafafa+Hots · · Score: 0, Offtopic

      I hate you pro-super zombie head eater fanatics.

      --
      This space available.
  3. publik masturb8r by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    choosing your alias while listening to shitty pop music is a goddamn shame