Redmond (WA) - Microsoft is jumping on the DRM-free music bandwagon and will be offering unprotected EMI songs in its Zune Marketplace.  Jason Reindorp, Zune’s head of marketing, announced the move, but didn’t add any specific pricing or timeline.  He added that Microsoft has been advocating DRM-free music for quite a while.

This is surprising because one of  the main tenets of the Zune MP3 product was the strict adherence to DRM.  Music transferred to the Zune follows the rule of three, that is three plays or three days whatever comes first.

In recent months, Microsoft officials including Bill Gates have been softening their stances on DRM.  Back in December 2006, Gates told bloggers in Redmond, WA that there are “huge problems” with DRM and even advocated just buying CDs and converting the music tracks to MP3s.

Only if they open-source WMA will this work for them

Apr 06, 2007 14:36     

The only thing that could possibly shift the playing field in Microsoft's favor at this point is if they open-source the WindowsMedia codecs. Short of a move like that, WMA and WMV will continue to loose market share until they don't matter to anyone anymore.
BlueGriffin report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Who Care's?

Apr 06, 2007 14:57     

Why even report on this so called iPod killer, I think the Zune should be remaned the Zune Killer!
JJ report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Duplication and not innovation from MS

Apr 06, 2007 16:41     

If they change thier minds enough, they'll get it right! Here is the Forbes article from Feb 2007 where they say they like DRM: http://www.forbes.com/digitale...bach.html Ms Doesn't change the world, they change their mind.
Michael report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

MS = Me Too? (Such a technology leader)

Apr 06, 2007 16:55     

Oh, Google has a search engine, we need one too! Sony has a gaming box, we need one too! Apple has an MP3 player, we need one too! Palm has a pda, we need one too! AOL has a portal, we need one too! Other than that, MS drives technology......
Michael report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Who was it that helped pioneer DRM's again?

Apr 06, 2007 22:50     

Just so you apple fanboys know, steve jobs helped create DRMs to give apple dominance over other music players. he straight up screwed the consumers for his own $. just want you to know that apple doesnt love you, it loves your cash.
harrison schaerr report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Apple did not create DRM

Apr 07, 2007 11:42     

WMA was around for years before Apple created Fairplay. And Apple didn't create Fairplay to suck money out of your wallet, they created it so that the major record companies would allow iTunes to sell their music. You are such an obvious MS shill for suggesting that Apple created DRM to screw consumers. That's MS's purview. You're a tool and a troll.
anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Come on Harrison, MS likes DRM, read the article!!!!

Apr 07, 2007 12:29     

Here it is, two months ago.... http://www.forbes.com/digitalentertainment /2007/02/08/zune-drm-itunes-tech-media- cx_df_0208bach.html
Michael report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Apple is without question the WORST at keeping thei...

Apr 07, 2007 22:30     

Apple is without question the WORST at keeping their technology and software under close guard and keeping everyone out. it's what created the downfall in the early 90s. What, did everyone just forget about that? Good grief. iTunes DRM songs at $1 a pop is a major rip off...you'd do anything with that music but just play it on your iPOD. What a waste of money. There are plenty of nice Russian sites that offer DRM free MP3 music for $.15 a pop.

John Doe report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Could the bigwigs actually be using their own products???

Apr 09, 2007 09:15     

...and realizing how much DRM really sucks? Yeah, it looks like a good idea on paper, until you actually use it. Jobs and Gates must be using their ipods and zunes and getting frustrated with the limitations of DRM! It's amazing what kind of change can be brought about when execs actually use their own products. Now if we can just get the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority to ride their own subway.....oh, excuse me, I'm asking way too much here.

adrums63 report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

RE: Could the bigwigs actually be using their own products???

Apr 09, 2007 12:22     

adrums63, of course not! The bigwigs to be examined here are the heads of the recording studios that make up the RIAA, since the technology companies (Microsoft, Apple, etc.) develop DRM to meet the demands of the RIAA (which are, generally speaking, made from a very uninformed standpoint). These executives have no interest in torturing themselves listening to the junk their so-called artists churn out; they just want the kids to pay them money for it!

RingoBell report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0