Microsoft bullies Big Music
p2pnet.net News:- Here’s an interesting twist on the Big Music and Microsoft All Pals Together (maybe) story.
We reported that the Big Four record labels have given Microsoft a Wish List of the kind of DRMÂ goodies they’d like to see in Longhorn – if it ever happens.
However, The Register quotes MusicAlly, a “research and analysis consultancy,” as saying it’s the other way around – that the impetus came from Bill and the Boyz.
Apparently, “music companies and organisations including all the major labels (BMG, EMI, Universal, Sony, Warners)” are fond of MusicAlly and, “It’s great to get something so frequent and current, but also so insightful,” says Keith Jopling, director of market research for Big Music’s IFPI (International Federation of Phonographic Industries). And “Nic Garnett … UK Government DRM adviser” likes it too.
The Register says:
“Microsoft is attempting to force a last-minute pact with record labels over the future of copy-protected CDs, according to a letter seen by MusicAlly. The allegedly leaked document is purportedly from Alain Levy and David Munns of EMI via Tom Silverman of Tommy Boy Records, who was asked ‘to reach out to the independent sector to achieve quick consensus on this issue [and] report back to Microsoft.’
“Any such deal would see Microsoft support ‘an industry-wide copy control platform’ built in to its next-generation Longhorn operating system, with the computer giant instructing labels that the compatible secure CDs must contain additional multimedia content, such as bonus tracks, “as a quid pro quo for adding effective [DRM] into the consumer experience.
“The letter, dated 2 September 2004, says that Microsoft’s offer came ‘literally in the last few days’ but requires that labels across the entire industry agree upon a specification for the functionality of the protected discs by 20 September.”
It’s not clear if Microsoft wants the Secure Audio Path – “protect content all the way to a computer’s speakers” – or Active Software Protection (on-disc DRM) says the Register, adding that either way, indie labels are rumoured to be “terrified” by the proposal
Given that Big Music likes MusicAlly, the story has credibility.
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See:-
All Pals Together – Big Music’s Wish List, p2pnet, September 18, 2004
last-minute pact – Microsoft tells music biz to ‘back lock-down CD standard’, The Register, September 16, 2004
September 19th, 2004 at 12:15 am
*sighs*
More money waisted by Micro$oft and Big Music labels for a tech product that CANT work.
Lets see. I can drop in a sound card and run that audio out to my stereo or a linux box and record the music directly – then burn straight over to cd – gosh that was hard… Millions of dollars in development waisted….
Oh I guess they could require special hardware for new soundcards to be used – I guess I could go old school here (not that I’d need to) and set a tape recorder or microphone from my loving linux pc in front of the DRM speakers and record the music (I guess I could get a sound proof box and put a DRM speaker and mic in it – that could be fun) and wala – millions of dollars vs old school, and old school wins again….. big surprise.
Now come on – Billy is an old school hack himself and he knows better than this – He’s just trying to make some more money for M$oft since the big boys are desperate and he’s drooling over the money they’re willing to spend…. I wonder though if he’s ready for their backlash when this (as all other attempts) fails…..
_-Jile-_
September 19th, 2004 at 11:52 pm
What a thing(s) to suggest!
Shame on you!
September 20th, 2004 at 8:45 am
Sticks and stones will break my bones but Billy will never get anywhere with DRM.. lol
I’m pooooouring over with guilt..
_-Jile-_