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Microsoft Acknowledges NBC's Wish is Its Command

Posted by timothy on from the it-will-be-as-you-wish-my-master dept.

theodp writes "Responding to questions about why some users of Windows Vista Media Center were prevented from recording the NBC Universal TV shows 'American Gladiator' and 'Medium,' Microsoft has acknowledged that Windows Media Centers will block users from recording TV shows at the request of a broadcaster. 'Microsoft included technologies in Windows based on rules set forth by the (Federal Communications Commission),' wrote a Microsoft spokeswoman, apparently referring to an FCC proposal that the courts struck down in 2005. 'Microsoft has put the requirements of broadcasters above what consumers want,' said the EFF's Danny O'Brien. 'They've imposed restrictions way beyond what the law requires. Customers need to know who Microsoft is listening to and how that affects their equipment. Right now, the only way customers know what Microsoft has agreed to is when the technology they've bought suddenly stops working. Microsoft needs to come clean and tell its customers what deals it has made.'"

9 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by ArcherB · · Score: 3, Funny

    Last I checked... Tivo supports the broadcast flag as well, yet those of us (I have 2) with Tivo's had no issues... So I guess the question is, why is Tivo ignoring the broadcast flag (not that I am complaining mind you, I hate the broadcast flag), but I am curious.. I don't know if my Time-Warner provided box blocked it or not. Still, I'm surprised this got noticed at all; Does anyone watch these shows?
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  2. I wonder why... by Kamokazi · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...you tried to record American Gladiators.

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    1. Re:I wonder why... by nick_davison · · Score: 5, Funny

      Two /. news stories:

      Google helps the Indian government make a man eat from the same bowl he craps in.

      Microsoft saves users from recording American Gladiators.

      As part of their competition with Google strategy, I think Microsoft just stole the right to the "Do no evil" slogan.

  3. Re:Power To the Corporates! by cliffiecee · · Score: 4, Funny

    pay-per-view on every single broadcast

    I sure hope they leave the commercials in!

  4. Re:With Tivo TV is no longer real-time. by somersault · · Score: 5, Funny

    If I can't record it, I am not watching it. I tried using that argument at the cinema, but they threw me out :(
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    which is totally what she said
  5. Indeed... by interactive_civilian · · Score: 5, Funny

    VCR recorder, is that like an ATM machine? ;) Indeed, it is. However, unlike an ATM machine, you don't need a PIN number for a VCR recorder.
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  6. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by Yvan256 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I expect a company the size of Microsoft is forward-thinking enough to realize that pissing off people who paid once isn't a great way to get them to pay again
    You must be new here.
  7. Re:Being a Grammar Nazi today, I guess by quonsar · · Score: 3, Funny

    Careful, you may damage his self of steam.

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  8. Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag by mweather · · Score: 5, Funny

    If you're time is so valuable, why do you watch so much TV?