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Microsoft DRM To Get Even Tighter

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the schmair-use dept.

Toreo asesino writes, "Microsoft is tightening the screws on their up & coming DRM platform. First, Windows Media Player 11 removes the right to move music from one machine to another. According to their website, WMP11 'does not permit you to back up your media usage rights (previously known as licenses).' Worse, if you rip your own CDs and the 'Copy protect music' option is turned on, WMP11 will require you to 'connect to a Microsoft Web page that explains how to restore your rights a limited number of times.'" The Inquirer has an even more jaundiced take on Microsoft's turn of the thumbscrew.

13 of 536 comments (clear)

  1. Ahem... by tomstdenis · · Score: 5, Informative

    You don't have to use WMP to rip CDs you know?

    This is really a moot issue. I mean I hate Microsoft and all that they are, but seriously, just don't use WMP.

    Tom

    --
    Someday, I'll have a real sig.
    1. Re:Ahem... by EVil+Lawyer · · Score: 5, Insightful
      It's not a moot issue because there are scores of PC users who wouldn't know how else to rip a CD. No one has to eat spinach, but when there was an e. coli outbreak linked to spinach, it was still newsworthy.

      Also, it would be nice if one could use WMP to rip CDs without crippling DRM. When the news is about a piece of software that's installed on massive numbers of computers worldwide, it's newsworthy even if you don't have to use it.

    2. Re:Ahem... by omeg · · Score: 5, Informative

      I don't think that it's really an option to say to the users of WMP that they should switch. Afterall, most people who do are casual users who would simply like things to work without thinking about "better alternatives". The kind that uses Internet Explorer.

      If Microsoft can get their DRM in with those people, it won't be long before it'll be used on an even larger scale. Instead of fighting to stop DRM from ever seeing the light of day (already a lost cause), you will be fighting to get its large scale usage abolished. And these people who use WMP: they're not going to switch. Ever. Microsoft should just stop using these tactics.

    3. Re:Ahem... by joshetc · · Score: 5, Funny

      Russ, this is your boss. You're fired.

    4. Re:Ahem... by ncc74656 · · Score: 5, Informative
      It's Called MdiaPlayerClassic but it's not M$ And when it's installed with the K-Lite codec pack it rocks !

      Codec packs can be dangerous. ffdshow handles nearly everything all by itself, is just one codec to install, and is free-as-in-speech.

      --
      20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
  2. More reasons to get Vista, hey! by TheShadowHawk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Even tighter DRM? Wow... tell me again why I should install Vista?

    --
    Friends don't let Friends use Internet Explorer.
    1. Re:More reasons to get Vista, hey! by Patrik_AKA_RedX · · Score: 5, Funny

      Because the warez version will have all the good parts, none of the bad parts and is provided to you at the real value of the software.

    2. Re:More reasons to get Vista, hey! by Robotz · · Score: 5, Funny

      Personally, I like to pronounce 'Vista' with a capital 'F'.

      It feels appropriate, somehow.

  3. I want more MS by MECC · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Also saw "Cannot play back recorded TV that is protected with media usage rights in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 after 3 days". Man this so makes me want to get all tricked out with a Zune and windows break-my-media center, because they all look so nice and they 'just work'. This must be that 'microsoft standard' thingy I keep hearing about all the time. Standard - that's when you get to arbitrarily break things that used to work, right?

    See - monopolies really do work better than an open marketplace of ideas.

    --
    "We are all geniuses when we dream"
    - E.M. Cioran
  4. it's obvious by oohshiny · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Microsoft is trying to kill DRM.

  5. Thank God by Mateo_LeFou · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Without all this DRM everywhere, I don't think we as a society would ever write another line of music. Ever.

    --
    My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
  6. I'll pass on this version... by vmxeo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I dunno... the DRM in this version of WMP looks half-baked. I think I'm going to wait for Windows Media Player 12 to come out, which reportedly will include DRM that doesn't let you listen to your music at all. All the major recording labels are on board with this format, so we may finally get a realistic alternative to iTunes without the clumsy Mac-like interface. Plus, it won't cost much more per track than the average iTunes song now. There will also be more visualizations included to help you imagine what the music you're playing actualy sounds like. I know that a lot of Slashdotters bash Microsoft over security, but I'm glad to know MS is taking bold steps to protect my music!

    --
    Shameless plug for my photos on Flickr
  7. Re:Easily by-passed by jfulcer · · Score: 5, Funny

    And whatever you do, don't cross the streams. That would be bad. Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.

    Right. That's bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip.