EFF: Microsoft Betraying Customers with MSN Music Licensing Move

Additionally, a press release by the EFF minces no words, saying the company has "betrayed" MSN Music store customers.

You'll recall I wrote that Microsoft will be shutting down its licensing servers for the defunct MSN Music store in late August, meaning that those who purchased music from that store will have to either select a PC to permanently license the music to a particular PC, or else burn the music to a CD. Once that's done, of course, they can then rip the music to any PC, but they've also lost quality in the process.

In their letter to Ballmer (.PDF), the EFF describes the concerns of users as follows:

"If Microsoft treats its MSN Music customers so shabbily, is there any reason to suppose that it will treat other customers any better?"

They suggest that Microsoft take a number of steps. Of course, I'd expect most of these to be laughed at, but still, here they are:

1. Issue a full public apology to your MSN Music customers.

2. Offer to refund the purchase price of the affected downloads or, at the customer’s option, provide replacements from an online store that offers the same tracks in a DRM-free format.

3. Ensure that all MSN Music buyers have (or have permanent access to) receipts identifying dates, amounts, and titles purchased, so they have proofs of purchase. Or, better yet, offer to cover their legal costs if they are hit with a copyright infringement claim based on a song purchased through MSN Music.

4. Work with your content industry partners to eliminate DRM from the Zune music catalog now. Microsoft has said it would like to provide DRM-free tracks—it is time for the company to make that happen. Unless and until DRM is eliminated from the catalog, publicly commit to compensating customers along the lines outlined above should Microsoft’s business decisions cause Zune customers to lose the full value of the content they purchased through the Zune Marketplace.

5. Widely publicize the above measures so that Microsoft customers know their options. That publicity should include, at a minimum, advertising in major music magazines and newspapers in every major U.S. city, as well as targeted keyword advertising.

Now, why do you suppose I expect all of these suggestions will fall on deaf ears, hmmm?

It's clear the EFF feels DRM is a failure (as do I and many in the blogosphere). In fact, they use the term "irritating DRM" in their letter. In fact, in their press release, EFF staff attorney Corynne McSherry said:

"With MSN Music, Microsoft has admitted just how expensive, clumsy, and unfair DRM is. It's time for Microsoft to reject this sloppy technology, and for customers to demand something better."

I agree, but it's not just Microsoft, right?

Source: By Tech Ex