Disney Licenses MS Windows Media DRM

securitas writes "CNet/ZDNet reports that Walt Disney has licensed Microsoft's Windows Media DRM technology for use in online movie distribution via the Internet. Reuters reports that Disney plans to sell movies online in late 2004 or early 2005, while AP reports that the multi-year license for Microsoft's digital rights/restrictions management and copy-protection software will let Disney distribute content on mobile phones, PDAs and portable media players (mirror). The companies are expected to officially announce the deal later today (Monday)." Conspiracy theorists, start your engines; kidding aside, this is something to watch, as these are two titans of industry.

Comments

Re:Turn on PBS instead of the Eisner Channel

[Frymaster]

can't deprive her of... Winne the Pooh :)

the irony here is that it's debatable whether winnie the pooh is really disney's to use and distribute.

some guy called slesinger bought, lock stock and honey pot, all the rights to pooh from a.a. milne back in something like 1930. he licensed those rights to walt disney (the guy, not the company) sometime later for a royalty payment.

now disney co. is apparently being remiss in their royalty payments and has been manufacturing poohware outside of the scope of the licensing agreement for twenty-something years. so slesinger's widow is suing.

and now disney wants to put drm on pooh content to stop people from "stealing their property."

sweet irony.

Re:Not Important

[Anonymous Coward]

Speaking as a parent of two kids, I'd say that Nick and Pixar are enjoyed by my kids far more than Disney.

The magic is *gone*.