Microsoft working on what they call 'secure" PC, some home computer that can't copy and share anything illegal. What it is exactly is not known yet. It could be just the software, but it also could be modified hardware. Like the hardware Creative is developing (with making use of implementations on the soundcard so it won't play protected stuff)
It has implemented protections on OS level. This protection makes it impossible to copy or play illegal songs/files…
Well there's a lot about it, so read this something from the article here or the complete article (you know, the link in the upper left of the newspost).
The particular minor modifications aren't specified, but the net effect is: "Essentially, this would turn the PC into a record player as far as music is concerned, while preserving the other open aspects of the computer. Record companies could release their records in an encrypted, unable to be copied Windows Media Audio format that would only work on the secure version of the Windows Media Player. A similar arrangement could be reached with the movie studios for film distribution." |
It's hardly Microsoft's fault if people pirate audio CDs, nor is it Microsoft's fault if other formats are used for unauthorised copying. "MP3 is less popular with record company executives, film producers, and other content providers," as Microsoft says. So Microsoft can be the squeaky-clean secure music delivery system that slowly convinces the record business it's better than audio CD, while the record industry carries on suing the crap out of everybody else. And getting the security progressively more into the OS and the hardware might have implications for the ongoing viability of other players, mightn't it? Got to be careful with that one, though...
Well since this is a huge article and if you're intrested…. Feel free to read more.. I dunno what to expect from it since it's MS and it's not the only party that decides what to do and what NOT to do but….. this never is good!
Source: The register
