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Microsoft apologizes for iPod comments

9 October 2004 0:08 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 3 comments

Just some days ago, Steve Ballmer referred to iPods as being "full of stolen music". Ged Carrol, who was offended by these comments, went to the Microsoft web site and used their feedback feature to demand an apology, and he got one. The apology went like this, "We would like to assure you that when Steve Ballmer implied that most of the music on iPods were stolen, he absolutely did not intend to single out iPod owners for criticism. In fact, given that they have access to their very own - and very popular - online music store, they are likely among the most law-abiding consumers of digital music. Microsoft Windows Media digital rights management (DRM) is a great way to limit piracy, and the main point Steve was trying to convey was that it requires a coordinated effort among many industry partners to do it right. More information on this platform is found on this page: http://www dot microsoft dot com/windows/windowsmedia/drm/faq.aspx"

If you read the apology it seems that it implies that only iPod users have access to the online music store, and doesn't mention that there is a fully working Windows version of it. Ballmer made his original comments about the iPod because it supports MP3, which is the most popular digital music format. Maybe Microsoft just hate it when they have serious competition? Also I don't see how DRM protection is a great way to limit piracy, just remember software Afterdawn has reported in the past that allows such protections to be bypassed. If anything DRM only limits music and is completely unfair to consumers. Oh and let's not forget that using DRM technology only tells your consumers one thing; you think they are all pirates.

Source:
The Register

Permalink to this article

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Ketola (Admin) 10 October 2004 13:49
Microsoft (or anyone else for that matter) has failed to convince me on how DRM is actually "safe". If you want people to listen to a DRM protected song, they have to be able to decrypt it somehow. If they are able to decrypt it, then where's the point of DRM in the first place? It doesn't matter if you lock your house if you leave the key on the lock. That's essentially how DRM works -- a DRM capable music player is the house, the song is the big screen TV inside the house, and the DRM decrypting key is embedded to the music player -- the house. Now you get to steal your own TV, and if you know how (or use, for instance, PlayFair), you can throw away the key, and share the TV with others as well! Happy time! [ + quote]
llongtheD (Member) 11 October 2004 17:18
Well...a kinder, gentler, microsoft. Maybe they're not the monopolizing corporate D**ks we all thought they were. Heck, I might even start using their browser again. NOT! [ + quote]
apiao (Inactive) 18 October 2007 0:17
Spam removed. Spammer is obviously rubbish at spamming anyway, to dig up posts that are years old.. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 18 October 2007 13:03