[DMCA-Activists] Record Labels and MS Palladiating Our Computers

[Seth Johnson]

A den of thieves dickering, with a convicted monopolist among
their number, thumbing his nose at the remedies imposed on him.


Seth

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [IP] Labels, Microsoft in talks on CD copying
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 17:54:43 -0400
From: David Farber <address@hidden>
To: Ip <address@hidden>


Begin forwarded message:

From: "CNET News.com Afternoon Dispatch" 
Date: September 17, 2004 4:40:51 PM EDT
To: address@hidden
Subject: CNET NEWS.COM: Labels, Microsoft in talks on CD copying


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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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.

-------------------------------------

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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