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Microsoft Re-Brands PlaysForSure

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the always-a-pleasure-doing-business dept.

mikesd81 writes "Information Week writes about a licensing change intended to 'beat Apple at their own game'. They're going to use a combination of branding and DRM, and replace the "PlaysForSure" logo with a "Certified for Windows Vista" tag.'The certification is used to guarantee compatibility with Microsoft's copyright-protection software and is the same logo used for the company's Zune player. The problem, however, is that music and video bought from the online Zune Marketplace won't play in their native format on other devices, including those that will carry the new logo.'"

16 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Plays for maybe? by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Might play sometimes"?

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    This guy's the limit!
    1. Re:Plays for maybe? by wkitchen · · Score: 2, Funny

      Plays for shit.

  2. No... by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...they originally just planned to drop the 'L'.

  3. Certified confusion by rsborg · · Score: 3, Funny
    Well, Microsoft surely have Apple beat when it comes to customer confusion.

    How does this play with a former "PlaysForSure" device that is intended only for XP? What about the Zune (which, AFAIK, still doesn't work with PlaysForSure media, but *does* work with Vista?

    Seriously, are MS intending to hand Apple a computer media format monopoly on a silver platter?

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    Make sure everyone's vote counts: Verified Voting
  4. Re:PlaysForSure + Certified for Windows Vista? by vought · · Score: 4, Funny

    a subtle hint for the future? ie that you will need Vista to play anything new? BINGO! As Microsoft unifies PlaysFerShure and Zune DRM, they will include the feature in Vista only, ensuring that millions of people will not care in the slightest, but cementing the reputation of their marketing department as brain dead.
  5. Re:PlaysForSure + Certified for Windows Vista? by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, if the name says as much as "playsforsure" said, it means it will play on Mac, on Linux, even on your cell, but never under any circumstances on Vista.

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  6. PlaysForS*** by 517714 · · Score: 3, Funny

    At some point, the lawyers prevail over the marketers.

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    The US government have made it clear that we have no inalienable rights; any we do not defend vigorously will be taken.
  7. "PlaysForMe" comes to mind by Opportunist · · Score: 4, Funny

    As in "It plays for me. The problem must be on your end."

    Hey, why shouldn't MS copy the ancient excuse of every tech support on the planet for their products? They copy everything else.

    --
    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  8. i for one by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    do not welcome our restrictive drm laden asshat overlords

  9. Plays For Sure by DieByWire · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...for small values of 'for sure.'

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    Never shake hands with a man you meet in a fertility clinic.
  10. Re:Makes no sense by ruiner13 · · Score: 2, Funny
    I'm sure it makes perfect sense if you're in marketing. I, however, am not in marketing. I suspect it goes something like this:
    1. Rebrand PlaysForSure
    2. ???
    3. Profit!
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    today is spelling optional day.

  11. Re:Plays for not at all? by Spinlock_1977 · · Score: 2, Funny

    I like the way Microsoft markets Apple iTunes - by continually stepping on their own wanker!

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    - The Kessel run is for nerf herders. I can circumnavigate the entire Central Finite Curve in a lot less than 12 parse
  12. Know what REALLY plays for sure? by Tyr_7BE · · Score: 3, Funny

    A straight up unladen MP3. THAT plays for sure.

  13. Prior art! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    They're going to use a combination of branding and DRM, and replace the "PlaysForSure" logo with a "Certified for Windows Vista" tag.'The certification is used to guarantee compatibility with Microsoft's copyright-protection software and is the same logo used for the company's Zune player. In other news : God sued Microsoft in an IP-claim for re-inventing the mark of the beast.
  14. Re:Lies, Damn Lies, by Evil+Adrian · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you know people that stupid and you aren't killing them, you should be fined heavily.

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    evil adrian
  15. Re:Plays for not at all? by Gilmoure · · Score: 3, Funny

    Does MicroSoft have a long wanker or no shins?

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    I drank what? -- Socrates