MSN Music Doesn't Kill Future Playability of Purchased Tracks

Microsoft blinked on its way to terminating the future ability to play music purchased from the defunct MSN Music store. The company had planned to pull the plug 31-Aug-2008 on its authorization servers, which would allow purchasers to change the set of machines on which music was allowed to play. Computers that were already authorized would still be able to play the music, however. (See "Thank You for Not Playing: Microsoft Expires DRMed Music," 2008-04-30.)

The company backpedaled a few weeks ago - sorry for missing this, folks! - and said that it will keep its authorization systems running until at least the end of 2011. Microsoft faced a storm of media and user criticism over the move, which was nearly the worst-case scenario for those who oppose restrictive digital rights management (DRM). (The worst case is when all music playing rights would expire, not just the right of transfer and authorization.)

It was clear to observers that Microsoft could also have faced class-action lawsuits, given the clearly large number of purchasers, the lack of alternatives (excepting ripping and burning discs, degrading the music quality), and the unilateral action.

Judges are increasingly handing down negative judgments and fines against the music industry trade group RIAA. Microsoft had to view the downside to its move to save most likely a few hundred thousand dollars a year against millions in defending itself and tens of millions if they lost a multi-year lawsuit.

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Copyright � 2008 Glenn Fleishman. TidBITS is copyright � 2008 TidBITS Publishing Inc. If you're reading this article on a Web site other than TidBITS.com, please let us know, because if it was republished without attribution, by a commercial site, or in modified form, it violates our Creative Commons License.

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MSN Music Doesn't Kill Future Playability of Purchased Tracks - témata

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MSN Music Doesn't Kill Future Playability of Purchased Tracks

MSN Music Doesn't Kill Future Playability of Purchased Tracks - témata

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