EFF slaps Microsoft over MSN Music let-down

Jonny Evans
|
April 30, 2008
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 The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has lambasted Microsoft for its move to effectively disable the music collections of its former MSN Music customers.

In an open letter sent to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, EFF demand the company apologise to its former customers, pays compensation and that it should in future work. “Betrayed MSN Music customers deserve more,” the EFF declares.

MSN Music sold song downloads encrusted in digital rights management (DRM), allowing the music to be played only on approved devices. Music fans who upgrade their computers must reauthorise their music files with MSN Music’s DRM server - which the company last week announced it plans to shut down later this year, “because of the complexity of maintaining the technology.”

“MSN Music customers trusted Microsoft when it said that this was a safe way to buy music, and that trust has been betrayed," said EFF Staff Attorney Corynne McSherry. "If Microsoft is prepared to treat MSN Music customers like this, is there any reason to suppose that future customers won't get the same treatment?

“With MSN Music, Microsoft has admitted just how expensive, clumsy, and unfair DRM is. It's time for Microsoft to reject this sloppy technology, and for customers to demand something better," McSherry said.

 

Comments (9)

TokenGeezer (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 6:56am

So Microsoft licensed the technology, then came out with their own Zune competing directly with their partners, and now is forcing the customers to switch, loosing their investment. How low can you get? How can Microsoft employees sleep at night? Can't you earn ANYTHING on it's merits?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 7:31am

if MS would be legally in "Breach" of it's slogan that is probably copyrighted or trademarked, 'Playsforsure', when it seems now to, in fact, not play for sure?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 11:10am

I don't know what the big deal is. It's not like it's the first time they have pulled the rug from under their customers. How many companies bought WIndows subscriptions every year getting nothing in return for seven years?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 12:47pm

Here is the "elephant in the room" for all DRM users. What happens when the supplier of the DRM technology decides to exit the business?

This is the best argument that I can think of for why it is insane to buy DRM controlled music.

Ouch! (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 1:21pm

I'm not surprised Microsoft would do something like this, they have
done it in the past. I'm glad they were reprimanded by EFF though.
What I'm really shocked about, is how someone
could write "apologise" instead of the correct form "apologize". Isn't this
site supposed to have a good batch of grammar-knowing journalists?
... bit disappointed as this is one of my favorite sites regarding Apple news and leaks.

Jonny Evans | April 30, 2008 - 1:26pm

 Thanks for your lovely comments, Ouch!

'-ise' is the UK English form.

More here: 

I can also write in American, at a pinch, but it doesn't come naturally.

Literate user (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 2:37pm

Shocking as it may be for you, the US is not the only country in the world that speaks English. In fact, we didn't even invent it.

Thanks for exhibiting your ignorance to the rest of the world.

Moron.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | April 30, 2008 - 8:59pm

True, however, this site is
focused to an American audience.

If the UK spells -ize endings with -ise,
It is more than okay, something I did know.

admin | April 30, 2008 - 11:57pm

We have writers from both sides of the Atlantic.  It isn't too much of a stretch to equate -ize with -ise.

FFS