Microsoft backtracks, will keep MSN Music DRM servers online until 2011

Microsoft caused a tiny ruckus back in April when it announced that it was shutting down MSN Music's DRM servers, leaving all five customers with music stranded on already-authorized computers, but it looks like the company has had a change of heart: it's now informing MSN Music customers that they have until 2011 to authorize new machines. Of course, after that you'll still be stuck with DRM-laden tracks that won't play on new devices, but it you haven't learned to buy DRM-free content by 20-freaking-11, there's no learning anything, you know?

[Waveblade @ Jun 19th 2008 4:14AM]

Why not just go DRM-free?

Seems quite simple

[Michael LaFramboise @ Jun 19th 2008 4:19AM]

The day they realize that is the day they throw away their current outdated and boated crap-of-a-kernel for Windows and start fresh.

[Good_Bytes @ Jun 19th 2008 9:32AM]

Isn't that Vista?
Frankly you should give it a try (Vista 64-bit that is, the 32-bit this last minute crap. In fact most issues reported only effects Vista 32-bit), as all drivers are fix, and SP1, it's pretty much all fixed up, and runs smoother and is more responsive, and runs application way faster (thank you super fetch) than XP ever dreamed. Also it take 20min installed compared to a full day with XP (good luck if you have a PCI-E and high-end SATA controller, as XP hates anything newer then itself.)

Anyway Vista bad start will make Microsoft re-pack Vista as Windows 7. Exactly what XP was over 2000. I mean come on, Vista has more new features then XP had over 2000. And look now, you use XP.

[Thi mam(kris120890) @ Jun 19th 2008 4:14AM]

Can't believe we still have DRM laden music. Guess it's no that much of a surprise from microsoft

[Chris @ Jun 19th 2008 7:05AM]

right right because Apple don't sell DRM music...

[caleb @ Jun 19th 2008 8:51AM]

Not every anti-Microsoft comment is a pro-Apple comment.

[Quikboy @ Jun 19th 2008 5:23PM]

MSN Music service died years ago, at least the purchasing of tracks did. I don't really know anyone that ever purchased from there. It's just lately that they shut down their servers, causing a ruckus for the anti-DRM crowd, and made a good example of why DRM is bad. At least they're fixing it now.

URGE (a service between MTV and MS) came with still DRM tracks, and a music rental system. Then it died too, though it wasn't a bad store considering content.

Zune Marketplace offers 2 million DRM-free tracks in MP3 format. At the same price too, and isn't watermarked. Kinda refutes your point that Microsoft is so DRM-laden, right?

[fr @ Jun 19th 2008 4:17AM]

Thats better than nothing, but there should be a legal requirement that anyone selling drm media should provide customers with drm free versions should the authorisation service be shut down.

[McBUNT @ Jun 19th 2008 4:23AM]

DOWN WITH POLAND! Oh wait...

[cr0ft @ Jun 19th 2008 4:37AM]

This has always been one of the biggest issues with DRM, especially DRM where you have to contact the mothership and beg for the right to use the media you paid for.

Just one reason why DRM is such a consumer-hostile piece of crud. But of course, seeing how laws keep getting more and more insane with regards to copyrights, I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel for quite a while. I mean since when is bypassing some copyright laws supposed to be treated more harshly in courts than violent crimes against actual people? Sheesh.

[Mike B. @ Jun 19th 2008 10:32AM]

There is a light at the end of the tunnel... buying DRM free music from iTunes Plus, Amazon MP3, Napster (6 million or so songs), Zune... i got $75 of iTunes gift cards when i bought my macbook... and if the song isn't available in iTunes DRM Free, i get it off amazon or napster... then i use Live Mesh to automatically sync my music folder to the cloud for backup... worry free DRM free... awesomeness... excellent quality 256kbps AAC/MP3...

[BobTurbo @ Jun 19th 2008 4:38AM]

Is most iTunes content still DRMed? Just curious.. I still buy my CDs from Amazon then rip them in lossless.

[MattyG @ Jun 19th 2008 4:41AM]

yes but that would be down to the record companies that put it there. they could just as easily put drm free stuff there if they wanted too

[technophobe @ Jun 19th 2008 5:08AM]

If Apple didn't want to sell DRMed tracks they wouldn't its easy for them to say their hands are tied by the record companies.

[toxicpiano @ Jun 19th 2008 6:35AM]

Don't they sell DRMless tracks for a bit more money?

[trev @ Jun 19th 2008 6:45AM]

toxic - they do sell some music drm free for the same price but the selection is rather small. Also if you already bought drm tracks which then get re-released as drm free they do offer to upgrade the tracks for a small fee.

Personally I still buy cds since there is no drm nonsense and the quality of the ripped music is higher.

[Mike B. @ Jun 19th 2008 10:35AM]

AmazonMP3 store (has options to automatically add to iTunes library), napster works flawlessly with iTunes.. cause they're DRM free MP3s... have been using them for a couple weeks now... love em...

[Mile @ Jun 19th 2008 5:06AM]

When owning music is illegal, only criminals will own music!

[Hellios @ Jun 19th 2008 6:41AM]

lol paying for music

[Kelmon @ Jun 19th 2008 7:36AM]

So, basically nothing has changed except the date that Microsoft turns off their servers. This is not a solution. The 2 solutions available are:

1. Provide owners with DRM-free versions of the tracks they purchased.

2. Put in place a deal with that another PlaysForSure service that allows the user to download new versions of the tracks that they'd purchased from Microsoft with the DRM in place.

Option 1 is most preferable, but Option 2 at least allows the user to continue to listen to the music that they'd purchased. Simply delaying the date when you'll effectively lock a customer's music collection away is not an acceptable solution today, and it sure won't be then either.

[jibba jabba @ Jun 19th 2008 7:19PM]

Microsoft doesn't own the content, they can't just hand out free music without paying for it themselves. Not happening. Its DRM'd per agreement with the Record company. Something this article intentionally leaves out. This is a case of buyer beware. It applies to all distributors...Itunes, Zune...etc that still offer DRM's music. If you don't want to take that risk. Go to Amazon or buy the CD and rip it.

[Kelmon @ Jun 20th 2008 2:35AM]

Fine, so Option 2 it is. Technically, there is also Option 3 (which clearly Microsoft doesn't want), which is to keep their authentication servers running indefinitely. As noted, Option 1 (remove the DRM) is preferable but unlikely for the reasons that you outlined. Given this, I see no reason or obstacle to Microsoft paying another company to give customers access to the music that they bought through the other company's service. By their own admission, there's not that many customers to compensate, and compensation must be paid in some form. Giving the money back would be nice but I have no doubt that it would cost Microsoft less to arrange a deal with another store.

[neofolklore @ Jun 19th 2008 7:40AM]

LIMEWIRE LOL LIMEWIRE LOL LIMEWIRE LOL

but even that makes you a n00b.

[Kevin @ Jun 19th 2008 9:21AM]

"but it you haven't learned to buy DRM-free content by 20-freaking-11"

I hate to be the editor on this one, but shouldn't it be "but if you haven't....."

[Neoprimal @ Jun 19th 2008 10:14AM]

Hello...it's Engadget, not The NY Times. Misspelling galore along with horrid grammar and abundant mistakes are quite regular here - [if's] a part of the charm here :)


[] = joke.

[Good_Bytes @ Jun 19th 2008 9:32AM]

Isn't that Vista?
Frankly you should give it a try (Vista 64-bit that is, the 32-bit this last minute crap. In fact most issues reported only effects Vista 32-bit), as all drivers are fix, and SP1, it's pretty much all fixed up, and runs smoother and is more responsive, and runs application way faster (thank you super fetch) than XP ever dreamed. Also it take 20min installed compared to a full day with XP (good luck if you have a PCI-E and high-end SATA controller, as XP hates anything newer then itself.)

Anyway Vista bad start will make Microsoft re-pack Vista as Windows 7. Exactly what XP was over 2000. I mean come on, Vista has more new features then XP had over 2000. And look now, you use XP.

[Good_Bytes @ Jun 19th 2008 9:33AM]

Sorry, double post. Ignore above.

[Chris Brand @ Jun 19th 2008 9:47AM]

Get tunebite. It seems to work well.

http://tunebite.com/en/remove_drm/

[a ham sandwich @ Jun 19th 2008 9:58AM]

yeah it does. i tried it a while ago. but since it pumps the sound out and back in you loose some fidelity in the file which is why i stopped.

[Mike B. @ Jun 19th 2008 10:37AM]

Fairuse4WM ... strips DRM without loss in fidelity... perfect

[mark @ Jun 19th 2008 11:58AM]

FairUse4WM works well, unless you have vista or wmp11 on xp then your gonna have to use it on another computer or in a virtual machine

[matt @ Jun 19th 2008 12:23PM]

What if apple did this?

[Andy TGD @ Jun 19th 2008 5:39PM]

"All 5 customers..."

...

::Snickers::