Microsoft copyright safeguard is risky
SeattlePI | at | by Mike
By next Christmas, some recording companies expect to be selling compact discs wrapped in technology from Microsoft Corp. and other companies in an effort to protect both copyrights and the bottom line. But depending on how restrictive the record labels choose to be, consumers may spurn the CDs. And ultimately, Microsoft's latest move to help drive adoption of its newest version of Internet audio and video software risks falling on its face, analysts say.
Microsoft's new CD copyright technology is expected to be released in final form in the next few weeks. Already, it has been getting some attention from record labels that are eager to stop unlawful copying of CDs -- a practice the industry contends costs it billions of dollars a year. EMI Recorded Music and Universal Music Group plan to test the technology, with EMI planning to offer some CDs with new copyright protections later this year.