A new copyright system is under development @ microsoft:
A new digital media security solution developed by Microsoft provides protection for content owners while excluding other digital rights management systems.
The Secure Audio Path (SAP) adds "static" interference to media files that require video and audio cards to authenticate themselves with Windows software before they can be played. The company would be able to verify that a media player isn't playing an "unsecured" file, which according to Microsoft would eliminate much of the threat of piracy.
The SAP system was first included in Windows ME, and will be bundled in Windows XP, Microsoft's operating system that the company is expected to describe in detail during a Tuesday press conference.
Microsoft has engineered its operating systems to check for SAP before passing the files on to any device, such as a soundcard.
According to Microsoft, right now the current SAP function will play any files, but after the company's market share for the Windows Media Player -- which is also built into Windows -- is sufficiently large, the company will turn on SAP and play only secured files.
Oh man.. i'm not a Microsoft hater, but this is to much. Only hardware which is approved by microsoft can play the secured songs... so microsoft get's control who can listen and who can not
Source: Wired News
