[IP] Labels, Microsoft in talks on CD copying
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Labels, Microsoft in talks on CD copying
Music companies want support for CD copy protection built into
Longhorn operating system.
Fri Sep 17 11:18:00 PDT 2004 | Read Full Story
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Labels, Microsoft in talks on CD copying
Published: September 17, 2004, 11:18 AM PDT
By John Borland
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
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Record labels and Microsoft are in discussions about ways that the next
generation of the Windows operating system, code-named Longhorn, can
support copy-protected CD technology.
The music labels, in large part led by top executives at EMI Group and
coordinated through their U.S. and international trade associations,
are creating a "wish list" of CD rights protection features they want
to see provided or supported by Longhorn. Microsoft, in turn, has
provided its own set of guidelines for the labels, without yet
promising anything, sources familiar with the situation said.
The labels are far from unanimous on their thoughts about how to use,
or even whether to use, copy protection technology on CDs. But sources
said most are eager to avoid being locked into Microsoft technology and
want to ensure that Longhorn provides a platform for copy protection
that is at least as consumer-friendly as Apple Computer's iTunes Music
Store.
"We're asking Microsoft to put in a framework--not to say what the
rules are," said EMI Music Chairman David Munns, who has helped
coordinate discussions among the music labels. "This would solve
consumer confusion and help make the whole thing a much more friendly
and easier consumer experience."
The discussions over copy protection and Longhorn are in some sense
very theoretical, based on expectations of future technology
developments and future consumer behavior. The music labels have been
experimenting with ways of putting new copy controls on CDs for several
years but have released only a few albums with the technology in the
United States, with mixed success.
Microsoft's next operating system is also far from release. The
company recently pushed back Longhorn's planned launch date until late
2006, and it is still working out details of a "Secure Computing" plan
that some have said would help make digital rights management
technologies much stronger.
However, EMI, in particular, has previously talked with Microsoft
about ways to make copy protection a simpler experience by building
support more deeply into the operating system, Munns said.
One idea from the record label side would be to let the operating
system recognize a CD, when it is put in the tray, and automatically
set in motion whatever usage rules have been specified by the label
itself on the CD. This might include limits on the number of copies
that can be made or what rules would be associated with a digitally
"ripped" file, for example.
Today's copy protection technologies are more rudimentary, often
including software on the CDs themselves, and have little interaction
with the operating system. As a result, they are often easily bypassed
and are very obvious to consumers.
The most recent discussions with Microsoft were initiated by the
labels, Munns said. The software company agreed to consider their
requests but in turn asked that the music industry come to a consensus
on its requests, other sources added.
Led in part by EMI, labels have subsequently been developing their
wish list for at least a month, with discussions that have included the
major and larger independent labels. Representatives from the RIAA are
scheduled to meet with Microsoft on Sept. 20 to discuss the requests,
sources said.
Labels are primarily adamant that the operating system allow
non-Microsoft copy protection technologies to function as transparently
as Windows Media's own digital rights management tools. They also want
to ensure that the operating system avoids treating the protected CDs
in any way that might prompt consumer backlash, sources said.
"Longhorn done the right way could really advance that cause," one
source familiar with the talks said. "Longhorn done the wrong way could
significantly frustrate everyone involved."
Microsoft, in turn, has communicated to the labels that it does not
want to support technologies that might be viewed by consumers as
aggressive or potentially related to spyware, sources said.
No hard decisions have been made on either side, sources said. The
meeting next week is likely to be the beginning of a series of
discussions between the software company and the music business, as the
operating system comes closer to completion. So far, Microsoft has been
very open to working with the labels, Munns said.
A Microsoft representative declined to comment on the issue.
Munns said the drive would not be limited to Microsoft's operating
system. The music companies have also had early conversations with
Apple, and the framework of requests that develops from the industry
wish list will be provided to any company that makes operating systems
or digital rights management tools.
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