“Record labels and Microsoft are in discussions about ways that the next generation of the Windows operating system, code-named Longhorn, can support copy-protected CD technology,” John Borland reports for CNET News.
“The labels are far from unanimous on their thoughts about how to use, or even whether to use, copy protection technology on CDs. But sources said most are eager to avoid being locked into Microsoft technology and want to ensure that Longhorn provides a platform for copy protection that is at least as consumer-friendly as Apple Computer’s iTunes Music Store,” Borland reports. “EMI Music Chairman David Munns said the drive would not be limited to Microsoft’s operating system. The music companies have also had early conversations with Apple, and the framework of requests that develops from the industry wish list will be provided to any company that makes operating systems or digital rights management tools.”
Full article here.
Likely the music tyrants talked to Apple first and then took those ideas to M$ to see if they could implement a half-a$$ version in Windows
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In a recent story by the Register, it appears to me that Microsoft is ramming their “standard” down the throats of the music industry. Furthermore, Microsoft has given the music industry until Sept. 20th to make up their minds. A real hard-sell tactic if I’ve ever seen one.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/16/ms_cd_copy_protection/
Coupled with the story MDN put out on Sept. 13, it paints a grim story of typical Microsoft behavior and their underhanded dealings in business. When Microsoft steps in, they want it all!
http://www.macdailynews.com/comments.php?id=P3432_0_1_0
I suspect that this is causing a real panic in the music industry. Should Microsoft take over, the record labels will no longer be able to dictat their demands to the recording artists. The record labels (and artists for that matter) will then be required to humble themselves before Microsoft.
The chief difficulty is that Microsoft cannot promise anything at all. Not because Microsoft is unwilling to do so, it is desperate to retain its significance and inclusion in the business community, but that it is incapable of projecting what Longhorn will be or how it will operate.
Microsoft is, as yet, unsure what Longhorn will be like as anyone else is and you cannot build functional business relationships on a foundation of vaporware. Microsoft�s reluctance is based on fear of �painting itself into a corner� by acceding to demands now before Longhorn is even near commercial relevance.
Bill Gates would rather set the standards for which all others would have to comply, but his failure to develop overcome Window�s technological obsolescence has now made Microsoft�s bargaining position very much weaker.
Why doesn’t M$ just wake up and smell the Unix. Start Longhorn with a Linux/SCO/BSD base, tack on the planned Longhorn interface elements and run XP/2k/NT/98 in a virtual machine.
“…Why doesn’t M$ just wake up and smell the Unix….”
LOL…. are you kidding?? …
Unix is a foreign language to Billy Gates….
The only thing he knows how to write is DOS…
uhhhh come to think of it, I not really sure he even knows that !
Tommy Boy:
Bill Gates does not have the humility or objectivity to deviate from his chosen path. Bill Gates “switching” to Unix would be tacit admission that Apple got it right long before him. Therefore, he is determined to continue with his current struggle to develop the next century’s OS with the remnants of Longhorn’s bloated code – bound by his own pride and arrogance.
mac zealot: “”right on, brother””
“It is not clear from the letter whether Microsoft’s proposal is to enforce the “Secure Audio Path” concept (which would protect content all the way to a computer’s speakers, making it impossible to make digital copies by recording from the soundcard) or to build in the “Active Software Protection” currently used by the likes of Macrovision.”
Thats what it is all about. Imagine not being able to play your purchased music through a friends stereo system.
M$ DRM is all about collecting fees from all the separate devices you own. There is nothing friendy about M$ DRM.
Microsoft using its muscle again.. It’s never just about the OS:
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20040916.html
‘…want to ensure that Longhorn provides a platform for copy protection that is at least as consumer-friendly as Apple Computer’s iTunes Music Store’
The only way they will achieve this – in the time before 2006 – is by going to Apple, and bypassing MS altogether. They won’t want to lose all that money in the next 18 months. By 2006 it will be too late.
Even if the record companies agree, the feature will probably be dropped from Longhorn before 2006, just like all the other features.
People are waking up to Microsoft and it’s tactic of vapourware. Linux is starting to snowball in the server space, and both MacOS and Linux are chipping away at the desktop. In ten years time, Mikey Dell will be telling Bill Gates to give the money back to the shareholders.
Beleagured Microsoft. Has a nice ring to it.
Bill Gates is the anti-Christ!!! Beware, soon he will require everyone to have his name embedded on everyone’s fore arm of forehead. those who do not receive his mark will not be able to buy or sell anything and won’t be able to function in society. All those who willingly receive his mark will be cast into the lake of fire.
Eric24601: He’s already started. So much stuff must be branded with “Microsoft Certified” and his new badge for Media Players “Guaranteed to Work” (or whatever it is).
Beware of the day people have to be branded as authorized to work on MS computers! Yikes!!