“Customers who have purchased music from Microsoft’s now-defunct MSN Music store are now facing a decision they never anticipated making: commit to which computers (and OS) they want to authorize forever, or give up access to the music they paid for. Why? Because Microsoft has decided that it’s done supporting the service and will be turning off the MSN Music license servers by the end of this summer,” Jacqui Cheng reports for Ars Technica.
Cheng reports, “MSN Entertainment and Video Services general manager Rob Bennett sent out an e-mail this afternoon to customers, advising them to make any and all authorizations or deauthorizations before August 31. ‘As of August 31, 2008, we will no longer be able to support the retrieval of license keys for the songs you purchased from MSN Music or the authorization of additional computers,’ reads the e-mail seen by Ars. ‘You will need to obtain a license key for each of your songs downloaded from MSN Music on any new computer, and you must do so before August 31, 2008. If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play.'”
Cheng reports, “This doesn’t just apply to the five different computers that PlaysForSure allows users to authorize, it also applies to operating systems on the same machine (users need to reauthorize a machine after they upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, for example). Once September rolls around, users are committed to whatever five machines they may have authorized—along with whatever OS they are running. “
Full article here.
Microsoft treating their suckers customers like garbage is par for the course.
This’ll inspire even more consumer confidence in Microsoft’s Zune fiasco. Use those “points” while you’ve got ’em, ya hear?
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Follower” for the heads up.]
As expected all I’m reading here is typical gloating from smug MAC losers. With all the doom and gloom from Cupertino these days you have to take it when you can get it I guess. Whatever.
Folks, the reality is this: No pain, no gain. Microsoft is gently nudging PlaysForSure enthusiasts to their magnificent Zune Marketplace where points rule the day. I’d hate to be stuck with Apple’s proprietary lock-in and has-been I-Pod right now. Good thing I have a Zune.
As far as PlaysForSure goes, luckily my Dell Ditty is filled to capacity with my favorite workout mix and I don’t think I’ll be changing that anytime soon. As long as my trusty Ditty keeps running I can forever enjoy timeless classics like Olivia Newton John’s ‘Lets Get Physical’ and Quiet Riot’s ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’ on the treadmill. No big loss here.
Your potential. Our passion.™
The monetary value of the goodwill they just lost must be millions more than the cost of running their servers.
They could have given everyone a $0.50 refund per song purchased or a $50 Napster gift certificate or a free Zune or anything else than this. Microsoft’s marketing department should be sacked.
Alternatively, this could be another class-action lawsuit for legitimate customers – both of them.
I don’t see the problem, just go to radio shack, buy a tape recorder, and transfer everything to cassette. Make sure to put it right up to the speaker for optimal sound quality.
Parallels the damned thing and you will forever have a virtual “PeeCee” that you can forever archive.
F*ckedForSure
ScrewedForSure
PlaysLikeSh*t
PlayedForSure (not my idea but very funny)
(come on, keep them coming; this is so funny)
What happens when all 53 of the people that actually paid for a Zune switch to iPods? Will Microslop close the Marketplace too?
What will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Vista? PlaysForCrap? There’s going to be a mass exodus from Microsoft with each new screw-up.
It’s satisfying I must say after years of defending Macs from so many Windows users, I just hope it doesn’t turn Apple into Microsoft. Without competition there’s no need to innovate and really, Apple has no competition right now. It’s like the Boston Celtics playing against the local High School Basketball team.
It’s official; ZuneTang RULES.
You hear me!?!? F*kking RULEZZZ!
apple has had a few bouts with treating their customers badly and when they do, it is headline news. MS does it, another day another dollar.
PS I have yet to see an MS Zune in the wild. Not one single device. Microsoft’s track record on anything new is beyond bad.
Competition sure is a good thing!
Zune Tang has a DJ Ditty!!
Brilliant!
I like that it’s called PlaysForSure, and then Microsuck comes along and tells you it won’t play. Nice work, retards.
OH MY GOD!!! I just figured it out. This is the PERFECT business model the music industry/RIAA has been looking for.
Step 1: Buy DRM Music from a broadly licensed format
Step 2: Stop supporting the DRM format.
Step 3: Force everyone to rebuy music, PCs, mp3 players that support the new format that’s here to stay
Step 4: Repeat as needed.
This is even better than subscriptions!!!
P.S – Buster & British did you REALLY think Zune Tang™ was a fan of PlaysForSure? It’s in the fraking name!
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MS comes through again! Putting its customers 1st… er, well – 2nd – no 3rd… Well, putting their customers somewhere on their priority list.
… Well at least MS sent an email to all of its customers.
I don’t make gloating a habit – but I’m thoroughly enjoying this!
“Customers who have purchased music from Microsoft’s now-defunct MSN Music store are now facing a decision they never anticipated making”
That’s because they don’t bloody listen. All you had to do was stop by this site any time in the last 3 years and you might have picked up the subtle hints. If it’s too late for you, then listen to me now and believe me later: Someday, the Zune Marketplace will screw you just as badly.
I have spoken.
Microsoft – Our crap, your pain and suffering.
Gloat gloat gloat…
@ Mr. Peabody
“Well, putting their customers somewhere on their priority list.”
Do they?
@C1 – Excellent point my dear!
Microsoft certainly has the right to shut down their program, but surely they are required to provide access to already purchased music.
In other words, provide unlocked versions or a refund, since they are withdrawing already paid for services.
I have no doubt that there is a clause in the Microsoft legal agreement that essentially says that Microsoft can do whatever they want, but, surely THAT is illegal, like so many other Microsoft actions.
Sounds like grounds for Yet Another Microsoft Class Action Lawsuit.
Hello – any lawyers out there?
Here’s a great opportunity to make a buck and help chop down a rapacious corporate thug. Think of it as a Duty, part of the, practically speaking, outsourcing of the anti-trust division of the Department Of Justice.
This is why DRM sucks.
This happened a few years ago with Google’s video service and if you think this won’t eventually happen to Apple too you are mistaken.
OK Windows users … bend over and look out of the window … and what do you see?
Gotcha! Screwed you again!
Thanks for your money, again!
Till next M$ plot to find a way to give it to you!
@ Mr. Peabody
I think customers are a necessary evil in Microsoft’s business strategy. Their partners come first, and any top excec will tell you that. Bill once said in an interview that Vista was the best OS because MS had ‘more partners’.
Developers come next. Then developers, developers, developers. Next comes the IT Establishment – a generation of MCSE drones that love their ties and Beemers and Blackberrys, and you’d better use their platforms Or Else.
All this concern for B-to-B relationships is great to keep the money machine rolling.
Finally, the end user… screw them! Make it cheap, rough, and ready, and IT will sort it out. That’s what we pay them for! Put just enough money into UI to copy the Mac and it will be Good Enough™.
Step 4 – Profit.
There you have it – the Microsoft Economy.
Its collapse will be spectacular.
“I’d hate to be stuck with Apple’s proprietary lock-in and has-been I-Pod right now. Good thing I have a Zune. “
What is a Zune?