Protecting Your Rights
or Getting What You Paid For
Recently, Slashdot brought my attention to the release notes for Windows Media Player 11 (currently in Beta 2). I upgraded from 10 to 11 shortly after Beta 1 came out, mostly because of the sweet new look. I missed the expandable trees in the left bar (Artist, Album, etc) that we've had for as long as I can remember, but I was nearly willing to part with them just for the looks. When Beta 2 was released, I decided I'd check it out to see if my trees were back. Then I read the Slashdot article and decided to actually read all of the license and release information. Get this:
To summarize: (1) When we buy a digital WM file protected by DRM (as all WM files are), we are giving Microsoft the right to revoke our ownership of said file at any time. (2) If we're not running a system that is fast/new enough, we may be forced to upgrade. And if we choose not to upgrade - poof! - our files are disabled (for the general public, this is effectively the same as destroying the file).
Would you let a furniture store demand back the sofa they sold you if you didn't place it where they wanted it in your living room? Would you let Ford dictate how often you need to get a new vehicle? It gets worse.
We can't back up our own purchases? Are you serious? Then they have the balls to say "We will be gracious enough to allow you to restore your rights, but only a limited number of times." On top of all of this, they also naturally force you to validate your copy of Windows before you download a single thing. In another vaguely worded portion of the notes, it is stated that the user must have an active Internet connection to install the software, even after you've downloaded the complete installer. What's going on there that we're not being told about?
You will never find WMP 11 on my computers. Better yet, I'm going to start looking for something outside of the Big 3 (WMP, Winamp, and iTunes) for my music/video enjoyment. Since I've been please with the last couple of open source programs I have used, I'll probably start there. If you want to keep listening to the music you bought and paid for, I would suggest doing the same.
PS: On the same note/rant, I don't like the idea of downloading music to begin with. With a physical medium (CD/cassette/vinyl), I can do whatever I need to with it (as long as it's not copy-protected itself).
or Getting What You Paid For
Recently, Slashdot brought my attention to the release notes for Windows Media Player 11 (currently in Beta 2). I upgraded from 10 to 11 shortly after Beta 1 came out, mostly because of the sweet new look. I missed the expandable trees in the left bar (Artist, Album, etc) that we've had for as long as I can remember, but I was nearly willing to part with them just for the looks. When Beta 2 was released, I decided I'd check it out to see if my trees were back. Then I read the Slashdot article and decided to actually read all of the license and release information. Get this:
Content owners use Windows Media digital rights management technology (WMDRM) to protect their intellectual property, including copyrights. This software and third party software use WMDRM to play and copy WMDRM-protected content. If the software fails to protect the content, content owners may ask Microsoft to revoke the software’s ability to use WMDRM to play or copy protected content. Revocation does not affect other content. When you download licenses for protected content, you agree that Microsoft may include a revocation list with the licenses. Content owners may require you to upgrade WMDRM to access their content. Microsoft software that includes WMDRM will ask for your consent prior to the upgrade. If you decline an upgrade, you will not be able to access content that requires the upgrade. You may switch off WMDRM features that access the Internet. When these features are off, you can still play content for which you have a valid license.(bold emphasis mine)
To summarize: (1) When we buy a digital WM file protected by DRM (as all WM files are), we are giving Microsoft the right to revoke our ownership of said file at any time. (2) If we're not running a system that is fast/new enough, we may be forced to upgrade. And if we choose not to upgrade - poof! - our files are disabled (for the general public, this is effectively the same as destroying the file).
Would you let a furniture store demand back the sofa they sold you if you didn't place it where they wanted it in your living room? Would you let Ford dictate how often you need to get a new vehicle? It gets worse.
Windows Media Player 11 does not permit you to back up your media usage rights (previously known as licenses). However, depending upon where your protected files came from, you might be able to restore your rights [a limited number of times] over the Internet.
We can't back up our own purchases? Are you serious? Then they have the balls to say "We will be gracious enough to allow you to restore your rights, but only a limited number of times." On top of all of this, they also naturally force you to validate your copy of Windows before you download a single thing. In another vaguely worded portion of the notes, it is stated that the user must have an active Internet connection to install the software, even after you've downloaded the complete installer. What's going on there that we're not being told about?
You will never find WMP 11 on my computers. Better yet, I'm going to start looking for something outside of the Big 3 (WMP, Winamp, and iTunes) for my music/video enjoyment. Since I've been please with the last couple of open source programs I have used, I'll probably start there. If you want to keep listening to the music you bought and paid for, I would suggest doing the same.
PS: On the same note/rant, I don't like the idea of downloading music to begin with. With a physical medium (CD/cassette/vinyl), I can do whatever I need to with it (as long as it's not copy-protected itself).
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