Microsoft DRM To Get Even Tighter

Toreo asesino writes, "Microsoft is tightening the screws on their up & coming DRM platform. First, Windows Media Player 11 removes the right to move music from one machine to another. According to their website, WMP11 'does not permit you to back up your media usage rights (previously known as licenses).' Worse, if you rip your own CDs and the 'Copy protect music' option is turned on, WMP11 will require you to 'connect to a Microsoft Web page that explains how to restore your rights a limited number of times.'" The Inquirer has an even more jaundiced take on Microsoft's turn of the thumbscrew.

Re:More reasons to get Vista, hey!

[Patrik_AKA_RedX]

Because the warez version will have all the good parts, none of the bad parts and is provided to you at the real value of the software.

Why?

[MightyYar]

To what end? Why did they do this? At the behest of who?

I'd call them turd burglars, but that would imply some competence at burgling turds.

Re:Oblig. Star Wars reference

[kfg]

This just in; the revolution will not be streamed on Windows Media Player. No file at 11.

KFG

Correction

[Orange Crush]

'connect to a Microsoft Web page that explains how to restore your rights a limited number of times.'

Summary mispelled privileges and missed the last part of the sentence: "you filthy theiving consumer SCUM!"

Clippy

[Anonymous Coward]

"Look's like you're trying to backup a CD - I've just informed he RIAA. Would you like me to call you a lawyer?"

oblig. simpsons quote

[i_should_be_working]

Man this so makes me want to get all tricked out with a Zune and windows break-my-media center..

Then, I will hug some snakes... yes. I will hug and kiss some poisonous snakes.

Now that's sarcasm!

Re:Ahem...

[russ1337]

My (IT illertate) Boss, asked me one day "what is the best format to rip my CD's into?". I answered "if you want freedom and good quality use OGG Vorbis, but seeing as you and your family already have various players that support mp3, use mp3 but turn off 'protection' and set it to a high bit-rate"

Do you know what he did... burned it all to WMV.

So yeah, there are a few out there that use .WMV ... but if they are anything like my boss, they are idiots.

Re:Easily by-passed

[brunascle]

ah yes, the analog hole [wikipedia.org].

doing that could be dangerous though. you'd want to make sure the input wasnt being sent to the output, otherwise you'd get an infinite feedback loop. i blew out a guitar amp doing that.

You know why it's ok?

[Chabil Ha']

Because it's a Genuine Advantage to do so. HAH!

Re:Ahem...

[joshetc]

Russ, this is your boss. You're fired.

Wow! Who would have thought?

[Opportunist]

'connect to a Microsoft Web page that explains how to restore your rights a limited number of times.'

I never thought I'd see MS advertising Linux. Or ... wait, can't be. They're talking about restoring it only a limited number of times. Not permanently.

What a scam.

Re:Ahem...

[Anonymous Coward]

all the more reason for people to use linux! go microsoft!

(or just download winamp)

Re:More reasons to get Vista, hey!

[Robotz]

Personally, I like to pronounce 'Vista' with a capital 'F'.

It feels appropriate, somehow.

Re:unprecedented evile craves control

[Anonymous Coward]

And that, my friends, is why you shouldn't use Babelfish to translate from Farsi.

I'll pass on this version...

[vmxeo]

I dunno... the DRM in this version of WMP looks half-baked. I think I'm going to wait for Windows Media Player 12 to come out, which reportedly will include DRM that doesn't let you listen to your music at all. All the major recording labels are on board with this format, so we may finally get a realistic alternative to iTunes without the clumsy Mac-like interface. Plus, it won't cost much more per track than the average iTunes song now. There will also be more visualizations included to help you imagine what the music you're playing actualy sounds like. I know that a lot of Slashdotters bash Microsoft over security, but I'm glad to know MS is taking bold steps to protect my music!

Re:Easily by-passed

[jfulcer]

And whatever you do, don't cross the streams. That would be bad. Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light.

Right. That's bad. Okay. All right. Important safety tip.

New DRM in WMP 11 already hackzored!

[RingDev]

There is a simple method of bypasing this DRM when ripping your music. In WMP go to the Tools menu, select Options. Click on the "Copy Music" tab and ensure that the "Copy protect music" option is not selected.

Man, that was a close one, they almost screwed us this time!

-Rick

Re:More reasons to get Vista, hey!

[Dr. Max E. Ville]

BURN, HERETIC!

Re:Ahem...

[kevinadi]

There really is a need for a Nobel prize for destruction. MS should be the first recipient. With honors.

Re:Clippy

[lunadog]

Would you like me to call you a lawyer?

No need to be rude.

Similar saying, equally important to know

[doodlebumm]

You can never make anything foolproof, because fools are so ingenious.