Microsoft Introduces CD Copy-Protection 'Fix'
Microsoft Introduces CD Copy-Protection 'Fix'
CANNES, France (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. (NasdaqNM:MSFT - news) announced on Saturday the introduction of new digital rights software aimed at helping music labels control unauthorized copying of CDs, one of the biggest thorns in the ailing industry's side.
Stung by the common practice of consumers copying, or "burning," new versions of a store-bought CD onto recordable CDs, music companies have invested heavily in copy-protection technologies that have mainly backfired or annoyed customers.
For example, most copy-proof CDs are designed so that they cannot be played on a PC, but often this prevents playback on portable devices and car stereos too.
Last year, some resourceful software enthusiasts cracked Sony Music's (6758.T) proprietary technology simply by scribbling a magic marker pen around the edges of the disc, thus enabling playback on any device.
Microsoft believes it may have come up with a solution. The new software is called the Windows Media Data Session Toolkit.
It enables music labels to lay songs onto a copy-controlled CD in multiple layers, one that would permit normal playback on a stereo and a PC.
$500 MILLION INVESTMENT
The PC layer, laid digitally on the same disc, can be modified by the content provider, so that they could prevent, for example, burning songs onto another CD, said David Fester, general manager, digital media entertainment for Microsoft.
Universal Music (EAUG.PA) and EMI (EMI.L), two of the biggest record labels in the world, "are very excited about this because it enables the industry to build a CD with their own protections built in," he said, speaking at the Midem music conference in southern France.
Microsoft has invested $500 million in digital rights management, or DRM, for music, Fester said. The Toolkit was co-developed with technology partners Phoenix-based SunnComm Technologies and France's MPO International Group, he added.
taken from Yahoo
:rolleyes: Does Microsoft have the right to do this ?
I wonder how long before someone hacks it !
What do you think guys ?
Dr_Evil
I see bad things coming....
I don't know, but it sounds like Microsoft. They are the big security phreaks around, putting so much time and effort into piracy protection on their software. You know what I see though, Microsoft being so tight with security on these CD's, it won't even work when you buy it out of a music store, and the customer will be forced to go online and find someone who has a crack or something just to be able to play the CD they bought. Or people will find the cracks to make it easier to play, rather than having to stand on their head and spin around 15 times while saying their 155 digit registration key backwards.
Personally, I like the way things are. I listen to a bunch of MP3's I download off Kazaa, then if I actually do like more than one track off a CD I go and buy the actual CD. I know there are a lot of people who don't. But even on that fact, if music companies are mad about the money they are loosing due to CD-burners, why not invest in companies that make CD-R/RW media? Then they would be making out like a bandit anyway!
Lastly, I know it's the whole point of the matter, don't illegally copy things that are not yours... so try you're best to put copy rights on them. But don't let people like Microsoft jump into the works and screw everything up and upset the customers more. The artical even said about how mad customers were that were not able to play the CD's in their cars or computers due to security. I don't know, I just see bad stuff coming from Microsoft jumping into the works. They always rush stuff out before it's ready, or make it so hard to use you'd rather be a cracker than an honest customer.
:confused:
Re: Microsoft Introduces CD Copy-Protection 'Fix'
Quote:
Originally posted here by Dr_Evil
Universal Music (EAUG.PA) and EMI (EMI.L), two of the biggest record labels in the world, "are very excited about this because it enables the industry to build a CD with their own protections built in," he said, speaking at the Midem music conference in southern France.
ROFL - They are excited because they can have "their own protections built in".... Bull doody!!!
Just like their attempts to change laws this is another example of the industry sitting on their fat duffs and doing nothing and now expecting everyone else to haul their asses out of the hole they dug for themselves. This protection is not theirs - it's Microsoft's plain and simple.... I just hope they stick to the absolute letter of the copyright laws...... And I hope Microsoft gouges the crap out of them for their laziness and laissez-faire attitude in the past.
And I don't copy CD's, d/l MP3's or anything...... I just hate seeing business not being responsible for their own screw-ups.