Microsoft to offer their versions of iTune songs?

[Spriggan]

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The tentative features of the new service--which is still under development--include advanced community aspects and playlist-sharing. But sources say Microsoft is also considering a more direct attack on Apple, seeking rights from copyright holders to give subscribers a new, Microsoft-formatted version of any song they've purchased from the iTunes store so those songs can be played on devices other than an iPod.
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Wow if they pull that off it'll be a big coup, there are many people that wish iTunes could be used with other playerrs and Microsoft will make a lot of friends if it ever happens.

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+planning+music+subscription+service/2100-1027_3-5739458.html?tag=nefd.lede

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

Sources said that the iTunes replacement plan would require agreements from multiple copyright holders, and may not come to pass, however.

Analysts caution that Microsoft will have the same problem that its partners have had in persuading consumers to adopt the "rental" model, in which access to a vast catalog of music is available all at once, but all the music vanishes when a subscriber stops paying.

[Spriggan]

Yes Jeffe notice I used the word "If" which implies that it may not happen.  

[Mad Dr Jeffe]

Subscription services are bad for the consumer, and havent been doing very well. Why are they bad for consumers? Because people like to own music and not rent it. The big question this article raises is why Microsoft hasnt been able to generate any store revenue with its old store. Its not even a big player in the Emusic market (with that distinction going to Napster and Real Rhapsody)

[Spriggan]

Ya but I'm not talking about subscription services in general I'm talking about people who subscribe getting permanent versions of the songs they bought via iTunes which I'm sure many people would be willing to pay for a one month subscription to get mp3 versions of their iTunes catalog.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Microsoft would only give wma versions.

[JP Dogberry]

See, my big problems are 1) You can't get any of the big music stores in Australia yet and 2) I really realyl don't like DRM. If I buy a song, I want to then be able to use it AS I WANT. I want to burn to a mix cd, or play it on any portable system I own., or put it on a USB andplay it at another computer, or add it to a Winamp playlist, or use it in my iTunes media library, since I DO use multiple computers, and I DO use mutliple portables, and I DO use multiple programs, and I get upset if I can't put it all in a big random playlist.

This is why I buy CDs - as soon as you break the copy protection, which isn't hard to do, you can use the file as you like.

[The Jade Knight]

CD Encryption is evil.  I'm glad they're moving to ban it in counries like Sweden.  Personally, I will never buy an Encrypted CD that is marked as such, and I'll demand a refund of any that isn't, just to boycott the whole thing.

Of course, I support the EFF (www.eff.org), and I'm fairly vocal on my stance regarding copyright issues.

[JP Dogberry]

I buy it anyway, since in 90% of cases, breaking it is simply a matter of putting it in and ripping it as normal. The protection is so pathetic, my software doesn't even notice it's there.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

There are really easy ways around every encryption I've seen. I'm not a hacker, and I can figure it out. HOwever, TWG does not encourage the violation of copyrights or protections. So no posting here how to do it. Feel free to disagree with it. We do encourage free speach. I'm just making sure everyone understands the TWG position:

We do not describe or link to descriptions of how to defeat encryption or other copyright protection.
We do not encourage copyright violation.

Ok, keep going.

[JP Dogberry]

Well, *I* do encourage Copyright Violation.

Stick it to the MAN!!

When you download music, you free yourself from Facism!

etc etc. I don't think I need to go on anymore, you've heard me on this tangent before.

[The Jade Knight]

It really sucks that Saint E would even have to say something like that, here, in America.

Stupid DMCA.  Grrr.