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Microsoft dropping DRM from Zune Music Store

boingboing.net — "Microsoft says that it's dropping DRM from some of the catalog in the Zune store. This is the other shoe-drop we've all been waiting for since Apple announced last week that it would sell the entire EMI catalog (albeit at a 30% higher price) without DRM through the iTunes Music Store..."

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  • z00k, on 10/12/2007, -166/+35Copy cats =/
    • Richardgm, on 10/12/2007, -92/+21what's new?
    • Sun.Surfin, on 10/12/2007, -12/+142Z00k, why would you complain about this? I'm so glad that Apple got the ball rolling; finally, people are going to start getting DRM free music. That feature (shame it has to be considered a 'feature') shouldn't be exclusive to iTunes. If it were, it wouldn't be progress at all. These music "giants" will, hopefully, set an example of themselves and we'll start to see a lot of changes for the better.

      Don't complain just because you don't like Microsoft... be happy that they're doing something positive that will offer more for the consumer.
    • johnnyb3, on 10/12/2007, -7/+14I think the music industry woke up when they realized their online revenue stream was in danger by governments angry at the non-interoperability of a lot of the music players. Sell non-DRM music online > not selling music online at all.
    • klawz, on 10/12/2007, -10/+60quote
      but a lot of pirates are ***** up my ability to enjoy entertainment
      /quote

      Seems like you have been brainwashed like many others. Just because the RIAA/MPAA bitch and whine about lost sales due to people downloading movies/music, doesn't mean those people would have bought the content in the first place, if they could not have downloaded it for free. I'm sick and tired of the RIAA/MPAA ***** up my ability to enjoy entertainment, the way I want to do it. If I want to pay to go see a movie/concert, then go and buy the same ***** content on DVD/CD, and then go buy it again on iTunes, I better be able to do damn well what-ever-the-***** I want with it since I paid or the same "license" 4 times over now. Until they do, I'll be damned if I pay for it more than once.
    • Wetzilla, on 10/12/2007, -16/+56Apple didn't announce that it would sell EMI's catalog without DRM, EMI announced they would be offering their entire catalog without DRM to every digital music retailer online. Apple had nothing to do with their decision, they just happen to be the largest retailer.
    • chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -4/+43"They should drop DRM, price songs competitively (aka no ALBUM-ONLY sales), and up the punishment for illegal filesharing."

      And if everyone simply bent over and swallowed DRM (as apposed to piracy) then what happens to your point 1? It doesn't happen.

      Piracy is likely the reason driving these decisions. The content providers make their content unwieldy, strip us of our fair use rights and lock us into specific services and devices.

      As an example, I can drive to the store to purchase a DVD. It comes with an unskippable 3 minute anti-piracy intro from the MAFIAA showing some movie-pirate stealing a car, breaking into a house, and setting children on fire, then I get a couple of FBI warnings. Next is the 10 minutes of unskippable advertisements and previews. And finally my movie will allow me to play it. But of course, only in a newer DVD player because the file structure has been altered. I then have to break the law to play my legally purchased DVD on my Linux system. I then break the law again (DMCA) by making it available in my media center.

      Or... I could just torrent the movie, which is much more convenient than having to go buy the DVD. It comes as the Movie and Extras. No piracy warnings, no advertisements, and no restrictions. I can use it, view it and otherwise exercise my fair use rights all over it.

      Piracy is forcing their hand. Soon there will be reasonably priced, DRM free, torrent enabled full DVD downloads. How could I possibly know this? Well, because it is their *only* option - Adapt or Die.
    • RomulusX86, on 10/12/2007, -4/+28@Z00k

      The first online music store to sell music without DRM was in fact emusic.com The site is mostly indie ,but props for apple to convincing the major labels to sell music without DRM. I still think apple should sell non-drm songs for the regular $.99 price tag.
    • saggygrandma, on 10/12/2007, -21/+9Steve Jobs writes an open letter about anti-drm, opens up an anti-drm initiative with EMI, microsoft copies.... closed case for me.
    • kingfoot, on 10/12/2007, -5/+29while i dislike the zune and microsoft in general, i will tip my hat, because i hate drm more. also, it would take months for microsoft to negotiate this, so it's not really copycatting...
    • yournamehere, on 10/12/2007, -28/+10didn't MS save Apple from dying about 10 years ago? you fanboys should understand that without MS they would have gone away.

      edit: yeah, exactly 10 years ago in fact:
      http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/cyberspace/july-dec97/apple_8-6.html

      they still own Apple stock. so no matter which way you swing it, there they are.
    • Tallon29, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Comment abuse:

      Here are a list of all EMI writers/artists if you're curious or would like to support those who encourage DRM-free music: http://www.emimusicpub.com/worldwide/global/_print-songwriters-list.html

      Some very popular artists in that list, so this isn't just some small label doing this.
    • chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -9/+31@yournamehere
      ""didn't MS save Apple from dying about 10 years ago?"

      No. Microsoft purchased shares of Apple because it was legally bound to.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_computers#1994_to_1997:_Attempts_at_reinvention

      "Macworld Expo, Steve Jobs announced that Apple would be entering into partnership with Microsoft. Settlement discussions regarding Apple's "Look and Feel" lawsuit and the "QuickTime piracy" lawsuit resulted in a five-year commitment from Microsoft to release Microsoft Office for Macintosh as well as a US$150 million investment in non-voting Apple stock. (This event is often inaccurately described as a "bailout" of Apple by Microsoft. Microsoft later sold its shares for a tidy profit.) It was also announced that Internet Explorer would be shipped as the default browser on the Macintosh. "

      The first result on Google is Cnet's story: http://news.com.com/MS+to+invest+150+million+in+Apple/2100-1001_3-202143.html

      "...they said they had agreed to work out a settlement to a long-standing dispute over whether Microsoft's Windows operating system infringes on any of Apple's patents."

      IIRC it was filed over copyrights and not patents, but I could be wrong.

      "you fanboys should understand that without MS they would have gone away."

      I think the definition of a fanboy is making up false information to defend your choice of platform.

      "they still own Apple stock."

      I don't think that's true either...

      "so no matter which way you swing it, there they are."

      Unless you invite that killjoy 'Truth' to the party.
    • soopafly, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10"they still own Apple stock. so no matter which way you swing it, there they are."

      WOW!! I haven't heard that one in years. That was a pretty big hole you just crawled under from.
    • neuropsychguy, on 10/12/2007, -8/+18"Apple had nothing to do with their decision, they just happen to be the largest retailer."

      Uh, I'm pretty sure Apple was the main reason EMI decided to offer DRM-free music. Why else was Steve Jobs making the announcement with the EMI people? Do you think EMI would have offered un-DRMed music if Apple hadn't pushed for it? Not a chance.
    • lukas88, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4For a long time I have pirated music. That changed when I found subscription music services. Most cost a measly 10-15 dollars a month, the price of a CD (or what a CD used to cost). For that, you can get nearly any song you want to listen to on demand. It is great, especially for someone who strays from the mainstream bands. If you are a music fanatic, I see it as the most cost effective option. The only reason these services are not more popular is because they are not compatible with ipods (as far as I am aware). But even an ipod owner would probably enjoy it for discovering new music.

      Because I have been testing out different services, I will recommend Rhapsody. It seems to have the most intuitive software and the most complete library. It is the only choice for people who love bands that have yet to break through into the mainstream. I like it because it has bands like Tilly and the Wall, State Radio, The Southland, etc. There is also "celebrity playlists" which are supposed to be compilations put together by the bands themselves of their favorite music from other bands. I am always slightly skeptical about that stuff, but I did find a few good songs that way.

      Other services I have tried are URGE and Napster. Urge has flashy software and there is no credit card required for the free trial (2 weeks). Napster is nice because you can get a free month if you do a google search for the promo code. All have the same quality (128kbps streaming, 192kbps if you download). Napster has the least intuitive software in my opinion, it doesn't even have an equalizer that I can find. Of course, these songs are DRM crippled and won't work without subscription to the service. But if you consider all the songs you can download with just a click, I don't think they could afford to do it any other way.

      These services are free for an initial period, and it is my opinion that most people who try them probably end up going with them. Pirating songs was great, but in all honesty, this is actually better.
    • EXIDY, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6"Microsoft says that it's dropping DRM from some of the catalog in the Zune store."

      Is this a pre-announcement Zune Marketplace song purchases without DRM ... a new file format?
      is that PlayForSure or something new?
      will it be of the .WMA format?
      will it play on the Zune player?
      will it play on the iPod?
      Can one "squirt" songs in a Zune social without DRM added?

      Curious minds want to know
    • prockcore, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6"Uh, I'm pretty sure Apple was the main reason EMI decided to offer DRM-free music."

      No. EMI has been experimenting with DRM-free music for a while. They did a couple of DRM-free albums on Yahoo's Music Store last year to gauge the market... well before Steve Jobs' letter.
    • PsychoticClown, on 10/12/2007, -8/+3We all have Apple to thank for this. Can you imagine MS doing this if Apple wasn't there? Would MS be so nice and charitable to do this on their own? These bloodsucking bastards would bleed us dry if they could.
    • TheCheeks, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3@lukas88:

      Music subscriptions are quite possibly the worst way to get music, ever. See what happens when you quit your subscription. Whoops, there goes your whole library, you'll never have access to it unless you give them more money. So in the end, you will never own your own music.
    • GuitaristTom, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2"I don't like the RIAA, but if we take away the "no DRM" excuse, there is no legitimate (or legal) reason to want to download music illegally."

      Because its free... i think thats a legitimate reason... theres no difference between this and copying vhs tapes... or burning a friends cd... or j walking... or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign... like, ur breaking the law, but who gives a *****
    • stoanhart, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"GINA = GAIM Is Not AIM
      gotta love all the acronyms"

      Then, when the Video/Audio fork is merged back in, they can call it vaGINA...
  • cquinnd, on 10/12/2007, -11/+69Yeah, because Apple is the first company to sell music online without DRM.

    The question is, will Zune non-DRM songs be priced higher as well?
    • kaelyiesta, on 10/12/2007, -3/+30If DRM is being completely abandoned from the zune marketplace, then what will become of the subscription account that lets you listen to as much music as you want for $15/month? Surely they wont get rid of it, since last I heard, it was doing very well. I doubt very much that they will get rid of DRM content completely.
    • wonderchemist, on 10/12/2007, -6/+18The other question, will the Zune's wrap non-DRM songs with DRM 'feature' be disable for these songs?
    • Dabellah, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3That subscription service to pay monthly for unlimited listening-in is irrelevant... You can also transfer as much as you desire using On The Go or whatever those MP3 players advertise which basically abuse those services and allow you to get your money's worth. That said, the service has plenty of a foundation for customers and will not be affected - it's an entirely separate service and it is offered by just about every legit online music library.

      What? Are you going to purchase every one of those 1000 songs you have on your MP3 player just because they are DRM free now? I didn't think so.
    • klawz, on 10/12/2007, -8/+33quote
      Apple is the first company to sell music online without DRM
      /quote

      F A R from the truth. Maybe they were the first to convince music labels to loosen up the grip on music-label content, but they were no where near the first company to sell drm-less music on the internet. Do some research.
    • S1ngular1ty1, on 10/12/2007, -5/+29emusic.com anyone ?
    • digitalarcanum, on 10/12/2007, -27/+12Jesus christ I can't stand iFags. Steve Jobs says "Hey if I could get away with selling non-DRM'd music I'd do it" and since one label JUST ONE offered to sell DRM-less music on iTunes he's a god damned god. I'm sorry but Stevie is not iJesus and apple is not perfect. Jobs is just a man looking to get a good rep without doing anything that will result in him losing money.
    • cquinnd, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17 @klawz

      That was sarcasm.

      I should have made it more clear I was responding to the first couple of comments in this thread.
    • TomRemixed, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8DRM is essential and not really a bad thing when it comes to subscription music (Zune Marketplace, Rhapsody, Napster) and people who use it like me should know this. DRM shouldn't be on any purchased music though. If you pay for it you should be able to do what you want with it.
      I hope Rhapsody will get these DRM free tracks also.
    • j10s, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2my question is if my zune-pass subscription will be able to download non-drm songs without overage charging.
    • GuitaristTom, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1klawz even i caught that sarcasm, so stop lecturing people mr. i do research
  • h3ndrix, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Yeah if they were comfortable with it, I don't there would have ever been DRM...
  • wazzledoozle2, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13All that's happening here is that you get a higher price, folks. WMA still doesnt run on Ipods, but AAC works on Zunes. Still the same low-bitrate, lossy files.

    Maybe Apple will add support to syncing to Zune?
    • randomvictim, on 10/12/2007, -0/+19Not happening. Even if they could, they wouldn't.
    • mfreeland, on 10/12/2007, -1/+0misthreaded.
    • mfreeland, on 10/12/2007, -3/+1I suspect that something much more dastardly than a higher price is happening here. Suppose EMI realizes that those complaining about DRM are also more likely to eschew paying 30% more, opting rather to simply strip the DRM as they had before. When few users opt to purchase the DRM-free tracks, they can make the claim that no one was really interested in DRM-free music, and we're locked ever more permanently into the DRM model.
    • Bamborzled, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2DRM-Free Songs from iTMS will be encoded at a higher bitrate; I'd assume they'd do the same for the Zune music store.
    • chrisutley, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4"All that's happening here is that you get a higher price, folks."

      *****. In time DRM will be completely gone, and prices will go back down. This pricing discrepancy is only temporary. In the event the removal of DRM ultimately causes more piracy, then the industry will fight back with pricing or DRM as they should.
  • yensed, on 10/12/2007, -24/+5The Zune Marketplace DRM is the worst of any Online Music Retailer. Its impossible to backup the DRM since fragments of it are stores all over windows. Which means after I install a fresh copy of Windows, Even thought I have a backup of my purchased music, I have to Re-Download all the songs again. Which can be done for Free a total of 5 times(After which you must Re-Purchase all the music again)... Once at least half the music on iTunes is DRM free, I'll be switching back.
    • s-m-a-c-k, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23"I have to Re-Download all the songs again. Which can be done for Free a total of 5 times(After which you must Re-Purchase all the music again)..."

      Please don't go spreading this *****... I just (today) switched PCs and upon trying to play a track downloaded on the other PC, the Zune software downloads music usage rights.... in this instance, I had already authorized three machines to use my Zune account, one of which was the machine I was moving from... you are provided the ability to deactivate any one of the three machines... you can do this once a month... this is the identical subscription model as Napster, Yahoo, and Rhapsody... no difference, probably because its MS's technology...

      also, the Zune software realizes if you have Zune tracks that were downloaded from another PC even a different Zune user account and gives you the option of refreshing all the tracks en masse...

      this is cool, because you can trade Zune DRMed tracks in the clear and get just get your software to refresh the media usage rights... this is the benefit of the subscription model...

      so try reading reading... moron...
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -22/+6iTMS doesnt allow you to re-download ONCE.
      I wish i had a Zune and not an iPod... I would love the subscription feature...
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16foolfromhell,

      Then sell your iPod and buy a Zune. And why are you repeating yourself?
  • lesty, on 10/12/2007, -10/+4I like an excuse for higher prices.
  • nick2, on 10/12/2007, -32/+28Microsoft is still selling the Zune?
  • johnpaul191, on 10/12/2007, -2/+16it sounds like nothing has actually had DRM removed yet... they just say they are working on it. from the article:

    "Consumers have made it clear that unprotected music is something they want," Asher said. "We plan on offering it to them as soon as our label partners are comfortable with it."

    that doesn't mean anything is available yet..... kind of misleading headline here.
    • klawz, on 10/12/2007, -10/+10Just think "iPhone" - same concept. Lots of talk and fluff before you see something for real.
    • soopafly, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6Hmm...just like Vista?
    • anocelot, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1This is what I got from the article as well. It seems a bit sad that your post is so far down the thread.
    • jjesusfreak01, on 10/12/2007, -7/+5Yeah, just like that operating system currently shipping on almost all new pcs.
  • gotamd, on 10/12/2007, -6/+1That's great, but I'm sure this means that we'll never get the DRM added automatically to songs you "squirt" taken out.
  • MoeB, on 10/12/2007, -11/+2does this mean you can actually use the sharing feature on the zune player?
    • pixelguru, on 10/12/2007, -5/+21only if you actually find someone else who owns a Zune, and who has the same taste in music as you. Odds anyone?
  • AppleSucks, on 10/12/2007, -16/+19
    Apple didn't get the ball rolling out of any sense of fair play or listening to their users. Their hand was forced by eroupean countries banning or on the verge of banning the iTunes music stores and NOTHING else....... Apple have always been pro DRM that is until their bottom lines were threatened. Locking you into itunes locks you into ipods and draws you into Apple. MS have always had an anti-drm stance especially around the Media Centre but have been fored down that road by content providers.
    • jakem1, on 10/12/2007, -13/+7The other thing to remember is that it was EMI's idea to sell non-DRM tracks - not Apples. Additionally, the higher price that Apple are charging for these non-DRM tracks is Apple's idea, not EMI's. To my mind this is further proof that Apple would prefer to keep their DRM in order to lock people into iTunes.

      Having said that, it will be interesting to see whether Microsoft decide to charge more for DRM free tracks. There is no reason why these songs should cost more if the record label is happy to sell them at the same price.
    • imcquill, on 10/12/2007, -2/+12Not so sure... in the post-EMI press conference, during the press conference the EMI exec said that they had always known Apple's belief that DRM was a bad idea, but they did their market research and came to Apple when they agreed.
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -13/+2I wish I didnt have my Video iPod.
      My next music player will definitely be a Zune.
      Will have to strip the DRM from my iTMS songs, but I would love the subscription model!
      $15 a month for 30GB worth of music!
    • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -4/+5It was EMI's idea - After Steve Jobs public letter of shame.
  • deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -13/+6Monkey see, monkey do. (although in this case it's for the best)
    • fkr3, on 10/12/2007, -3/+8Monkey see, monkey say. Go find another opinion, Apple isn't responsible for good outside of hardware and software.
  • HairyPoter, on 10/12/2007, -18/+7Apple did it. Now it is time for MeTooCrosoft, a brainless company.
  • iSeven, on 10/12/2007, -20/+22Microsoft: Anything you can do, I can do better, i can do anything better than you.
    Apple: No you can't
    M: Yes I can
    A: No you can't
    M: Yes I can
    A: No you can't
    M: Yes I can. Yes I can!!!!
  • airwalkery2k, on 10/12/2007, -9/+4You know--if Microsoft doesn't charge a premium for unprotected content like Apple did (or maybe was forced to do by EMI), then my next player may be a Zune. Or, if they allow subscription music on the Zune. (Currently can't do that on either the iPod or Zune, but who knows after this?)
    • jakem1, on 10/12/2007, -14/+9It was Apple's idea to charge more.
    • cwestpha, on 10/12/2007, -7/+3Zune is a good idea that COULD kill the iPod. It has features and a xbox live-ish community thing the iPod does not. The problem is its like the Windows group implemented the Xbox group's ideas.... aka they did it in the worst way possible. :p
    • TruthElixirX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+3Um, if they did this, you could still use your iPod. :)
    • gigaquack, on 10/12/2007, -6/+4are you a complete idiot? one of zune's best features is its support for subscription based music.
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9"It was Apple's idea to charge more."

      And you know this how? Think about this. Prices for full albums are staying the same while bitrate is increasing. Only singles prices are increasing. Which one dislikes singles being sold, Apple or EMI? Record companies have been complaining about singles and their prices for a while. They prefer people to buy the full album. Apple doesn't really care as long as you buy something.
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2By the way, for those with short memories...

      http://www.technewsworld.com/story/49727.html
    • kirk06, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6Actually, it was EMI that said they raised the wholesale price of the tracks. They also stated they were keeping the wholesale price of full albums the same.

      "EMI is introducing a new wholesale price for premium single track downloads, while maintaining the existing wholesale price for complete albums."
      source: http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2007/press18.htm
  • CogitatorX, on 10/12/2007, -14/+7Both Zune owners now happy folk.
  • ericdano, on 10/12/2007, -19/+13Rejoice all 6 of you Zune owners! Rejoice!
  • cwestpha, on 10/12/2007, -5/+6Here is an idea for a model...
    charge 99 cents for 192 kbps MP3, AAC, WMA with no DRM. (yes I know technecly 192 kbps AAC and WMA is superior to MP3)
    If you have a subscription servies (ie Zune) make purchesses of songs of MP3 (lets say 50% off) at a discount and have high quality DRMed subscription songs.

    Now you can keep your subscription model (A good deal if you have a wide collection of music you like or your tastes often change) and you can get good quality non-DRMed content for a price that isnt rediculus. There was a reason AllOfMP3.com was so good, you payed for what you got (literaly). Want something only good enough for a ringtone? You dont need to pay more then the full song price. Need a high quality 320 kbps lossless audio track? You can get it. And it all had no DRM.... and the price was cheap.
    • codyman, on 10/12/2007, -3/+2I like what you said... but how about for say a FLAC you pay like a buck twenty.. that would be worth it
  • s-m-a-c-k, on 10/12/2007, -4/+16I don't understand why all the bitching... it just goes to show you that the majority of diggs posters are ***** whiners and never satisfied....
    • Jugalator, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7What would be particularly funny is if these are among the same people that complained about the new Zune music store with DRM'ed music.
  • Badtastic, on 10/12/2007, -7/+7So what happens when using the Zune's ability to "squirt" un-DRM'd songs to other Zunes?
    Will the Zune still add that stupid Microsoft DRM wrapper on the song allowing it to play only 3 times on the receiving Zune?
    If they leave the current 3 day wrapper system in place, they're basically saying to the consumer: "Buy DRM-free songs that we, Microsoft will then add DRM to when shared between our very own Zune players". Now, if this is indeed the case then from a consumer standpoint it makes one NOT WANT TO PURCHASE A ZUNE. If however Microsoft were to remove the 3 day wrapper on squirted songs, the sales and popularity of Zune players would probably skyrocket overnight because they would be considered a convenient way to share un-DRM'd music via "squirting" between Zunes. Somehow, I get the feeling that Microsoft have painted themselves into a corner here.
    • 8bit_Hero, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4re: DRM Wrapper

      The zune does not place DRM on anything it squirt. What is does is give music a 3x3 lifetime for anything that is received in the inbox. it's that simple.
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5Thats like saying, "Buy our songs and distribute them to ALL your friends and deny the deserving artists of money!!"
      When you "squirt" without any DRM, you are DAMNED PIRATING.
      MS shouldnt have ANY sympathy for pirates. They will never allow people to freely pirate. The Zune's squirt feature isnt for sharing songs. It is much more practical when there are 2 or more people and you want to show them a song. Then you can "squirt" the song and listen at the same time instead of sharing earbuds. The 3x3 "squirt"ing is MUCH more than the iPod.
      I cant believe the idiocy of these fanboys. Yes... they ARE fanboys. A better term will be fanbots. They say the same damn thing again and again without any change in what they say, true or false.
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9"The zune does not place DRM on anything it squirt. What is does is give music a 3x3 lifetime for anything that is received in the inbox. it's that simple."

      So what you are saying is the DRM is added on the receiving end instead of the sending end. Same difference, really.
    • jjesusfreak01, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4No, what he is saying is that the Zune simply places the files into a folder and says to itself, "im just borrowing these, I have to delete them after three days or three plays". Its a 3 play song trial. Its no different from illegal file sharing if they let you keep them indefinitely.
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6"No, what he is saying is that the Zune simply places the files into a folder and says to itself, "im just borrowing these, I have to delete them after three days or three plays". Its a 3 play song trial. Its no different from illegal file sharing if they let you keep them indefinitely."

      But even if what you say is true (about the folders) then how is that not still digital rights management? We are arguing semantics here. One way or another, the shared files are DRM protected, whether it's in the file itself or in the location the file resides. Can you move the song out of the folder and have an unprotected file?
  • radiofrequency, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Microsoft "says", but Microsoft has no official announcement and there is no agreement or partnership with a record label to provide DRM-free content, an announcement that is necessary because Microsoft doesn't actually own any rights to music.

    This story is inaccurate.
  • AdebisiTheGamer, on 10/12/2007, -13/+10The real question is who the hell buys music from Zune anyway?
    • Dolomite, on 10/12/2007, -11/+6bigger question... has anyone even bought a zune? everywhere i look, they are just sitting on the shelves collecting dust, yet ipods are sold by the hundreds.
  • Dolomite, on 10/12/2007, -11/+5wow, another lame attemp by microsoft to be more like apple. the beleagured software giant should have done this years ago... another example of them following rather than leading.
  • Luigi239, on 10/12/2007, -12/+11I don't believe them.

    I am totaly agianst the Zune because they give money to universal with every one sold, assuming that we're all pirates. That, and all the DRM crap they put in Vista, and the whole "PlayforSure" scam. Besides, this isnt even an announcement, they're just saying that they are working on it. Remember all the features of Longhorn that they were "working on"? Microsoft could have announce DRM free EMI tracks the same day as Apple, even the same week. If Microsoft does something well, I have no problem complimenting them, just as if Apple screws up, I'll call them on it. But I just don't believe based on their past history that this would be something that they would consider.

    If they start selling DRM free tracks without the extra .30$, props to them. I would even consider buying them, if they wern't in the WMA format. That, and if I could use the Zune Store on my Mac.
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -7/+17#1 Why does it matter that MS pays Universal for every Zune? It isnt affecting you.
      #2 WHAT DRM ON VISTA? When Apple finally allows Blu-Ray or HD-DVD on their Macs, OSX WILL HAVE THE EXACT SAME DRM.
      Blame the MPAA. not MS. The DRM is nessecary to run HDCP movies on ANY DAMNED OPERATING SYSTEM LEGALLY. In a year when Apple FINALLY introduces Blu-Ray/ HD-DVD to their Macs, only then will you shut up... but thats hoping too much. You idiots will continue bashing MS for their DRM in Windows when Apple is using the SAME DAMN CRAP DRM.
      #3 since EMI decided to allow all their tracks DRM-less, ALL ONLINE STORES CAN SELL THEIR SONGS DRM-LESS. Meaning, the Zune store was going to be selling atleast EMI songs DRM-Less...
  • pagancollective, on 10/12/2007, -4/+6It's a little ridiculous to take this announcement into Apple v. Mac territory. We should all be happy that the music industry is ***** waking up and getting rid of ***** DRMed content.

    If Microsoft did this first, people would bitch and moan that it was a desperate ploy for Microsoft to sell Zunes.


    ...And just for the record, I wrote this message on a much-loved MacBook Pro, using my Airport Extreme Base Station.
    • DaffyDuck, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11"If Microsoft did this first, people would bitch and moan that it was a desperate ploy for Microsoft to sell Zunes."

      I don't think so. Removing DRM is a good thing no matter who does it. I'd congratulate Microsoft if they did it first.
  • macewan, on 10/12/2007, -12/+1copy the iPhone interface (check)
    drop the drm from our ipod clone (check)

    lame indeed Dolomite - the whole hairball strategy is mslame
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -9/+5If you are saying that the Zune copied the iPhone's interface...
      the ZUNE CAME OUT BEFORE ANYBODY OUTSIDE APPLE KNEW ABOUT THE DAMNED iPHONE!
      Shut the ***** up and open the blinds.
      You might say something true once...
      Maybe even raise your IQ from the 30s...
    • wilhoitm, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3one thing M$ did not copy is the do do brown color of the Zune, that is just pure genius
  • Justin6512, on 10/12/2007, -13/+6cough, copy cat, cough, cough cough....
    • foolfromhell, on 10/12/2007, -7/+7Copying from whom?
      EMI decided to allow all its music to be DRM free.
      Apple didnt force EMI to do that...
  • StandardsDT, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2What I want to know is when this does take effect will the whole canceling your Zune Pass Subscription affect those songs? I don't see how it possibly could disable them if there is no DRM on them anymore. They would have to encode the format some how to make the songs unplayable if you do cancel your subscription.
    • jjesusfreak01, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Zune pass songs would still have the DRM. Its not exactly the same. A WMA file in Windows can have many different attributes. You can have playback rights, sync rights, and if its a subscription, then they all will have timeouts depending on when the rights are renewed. If you buy a song from Microsoft with NO DRM, it has none of these attributes. It can be copied anywhere, played anywhere, whatever you want. Again, subscription services rely on DRM, and that isn't going to change, unless you can convince MS that if they let you download every song in their library that you will delete the files after canceling the subscription. People are only so honest.
  • yensed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3S-M-A-C-K, Please Re-Read my comment. "Which means after I install a fresh copy of Windows, Even thought I have a backup of my purchased music, I have to Re-Download all the songs again."

    I "Purchase" my songs individually(Which I should have been more clear about). You use Zune Pass(Subscription). Totally different Digital Rights Management schemes..
  • ninjakoala, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2*Only* singles are more expensive. Full DRM-free albums are the same price as the DRMed albums.
  • GruntboyX, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2Now if only movies could not have DRM i would be happy. I want to format shift!!
  • PDelahanty, on 10/12/2007, -5/+3Monkey see...
  • Spuy767, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Well, the million dollar question here, is what part of the catalog. They could be only dropping it from the indy labels who don't require DRM in order to look like saints. . . Truth is, we don't know.
    • jjesusfreak01, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2EMI, all indies...Microsoft has a deal more sense than the RIAA. If they think that removing DRM will earn them money, and the labels will let them, then they will.
  • EricJ2190, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4If Microsoft lives up to their word on this, I congratulate them. I do not really like Microsoft, but it is nice to see them do something right. Now we just need to get Sony to care about the customers, too. :)
  • jefree, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3The world is chaning! Go world! Simplistic silly comment, but this DRM free thing gives me hope that the internet of many to many free communication is forcing good change.
  • DeFex, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2just whan DRM seems to finally be dieing, they are starting to ruin streaming radio for no apparent reason.
  • Katana314, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I think microsoft's a good company, they just screw a lot up. I certainly don't support any of the things they screw up, but this certainly isn't one of them.
    • clyde2801, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I agree with you completely, except for the 'good company' part.
  • lopla, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3Microsoft is failing to copy Apple fast enough, this should been announced days ago! Get with it MSFT you are slipping!
  • yunus, on 10/12/2007, -4/+1Will Microsoft release a firmware update to remove the built in DRM that happens when you transmit a song to someone else?
  • RatTrap, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Take that RIAA.
  • phytonix, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1who cares? who actually buy music from zune?
  • superkendall, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Note they didn't say anything about removing the 3x3 restrictions on sharing - after all, if they DRM files you ripped from a CD why would they do anything different just because the unprotected music came from somewhere else?
  • Sonic84, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2This is another step in the right direction, hopefully Apple and Microsoft together will sway the music monolighs into dropping DRM.
  • KillerX, on 10/12/2007, -6/+3Typical

    APPLE LEADS

    Microcrap follows

  • dvddesign, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2Microsoft?

    Welcome to the ***** social.

  • Darcy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+2The Apple fanbots are doing a great job on this story, Mr Jobs will be proud of all of you.
    • InvisionUK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I know, they're really on top form.

      I'm learning totally new ways to say "Microsoft".
  • motters, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3It's rare for me to say anything positive about Microsoft, but this is a step in the right direction.
  • wheeze, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1One word....

    OiNK.
    • pagancollective, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Music so good, it'll blow you away.


      Again and again and again.
  • fuzzedoutmama, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2F*ck Microsoft and the RIAA. Yaaaarrrr!
  • LeeSoong, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2All Recorded Music should be distributed FREE by the Artist - at their own web site.

    You want to see them in concert - pay up $50 bucks.

    Forget the distributors - they should vanish.

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