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Microsoft Kills Off Zune Music Service (networkworld.com)
alphadogg writes: It's one of those "You mean it was still alive?" moments: Microsoft today officially has killed off its Zune music streaming and download service. The company notified users in September that Zune services would be retired on Nov. 15. Microsoft has been phasing out its Zune brand for some time now, with Zune music service being morphed into Xbox music and then Groove music. Devices were discontinued in 2011.
When Sony shut down their service, they recommended everyone burn the purchased songs to cds and rip them to have a drm-free copy as further use would be prevented in the case of a renewed license issue. I found this so interesting that I actually saved a copy of the web page. Within a few days Sony updated the information about the music service getting shut down and quietly removed the information about making cds and ripping them.
Just showed me that their are real people that actually care working at these places and then the lawyers come into play.
I don't think this is any different than iTunes. This is mostly name and official support, my "Zune Pass" (I was grandfathered into the old 15$ version which gave me 10 credits for songs every month) has worked all along on the new Windows 8 Music apps and through the Xbox Music / Groove Music transitions. The email I got at the end of September just said my "Zune Pass" was now "Xbox Music Pass" and had dropped in price. I still have access to all the files I've bought in the past.
My guess is that the DRM thing just means if you had Pass subscription files on a Zune, you're not going to be able to update the content licenses anymore: meaning, you won't be able to use Zune devices with anything but MP3s without content protection. It's basically the same as if you had Pass content and didn't sync for a month except now you can't update those licenses when you sync and thus will only be able to get that content through the new apps. I'd have to dig out my Zune to confirm but I'm pretty sure that it's only saying those particular devices won't be able to sync that type of content any more.