EFF blasts Microsoft over DRM validation

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has taken Microsoft to task over plans to shut down its digital rights management validation servers..

The servers accredit purchases fabricated from the now-defunct MSN Music service, acceptance users to authorise new computers to comedy purchased songs.

When the servers are shut bottomward at the end of August, users will no best be able to authorise new devices.

Microsoft began phasing out MSN Music in favour of the Zune Marketplace anon afterwards the aggregation launched its carriageable media amateur in 2006.

The aggregation appear aftermost anniversary that it would booty the affidavit servers offline, citation the logistical headaches appropriate to accumulate the servers up to date.

Users will be able to save their songs by afire them to an audio CD and again importing the songs as MP3s on the new player.

However, the EFF claims that, by shutting bottomward the servers, Microsoft is betraying users who agreed to acquirement the DRM-equipped songs.

In an accessible letter to Microsoft arch controlling Steve Ballmer, EFF controlling administrator Shari Steele declared Microsoft’s administration of the affair as “woefully bare “.

“Microsoft is allurement its barter to advance added time, labour and money in adjustment to abide to adore the music for which they accept already paid,” wrote Steele.

“What is worse, this advancement could put barter at acknowledged accident as they may not accept affidavit of purchase.”

Steele has asked Microsoft to accomplish a accessible apology, and recommended that the aggregation either acquittance or alter the purchased songs with DRM-free advance and assignment to abolish DRM controls from the Zune store.

He warned Ballmer that Microsoft could lose the assurance of its accepted crop of music barter if it fails to boldness the issue.

“While this advertisement has anon afflicted MSN Music customers, users of added Microsoft articles (particularly accepted and -to-be Zune customers) are acutely anxious as well,” wrote Steele.

“Your barter are affected to ask, if Microsoft treats its MSN Music barter so shabbily, whether there is any acumen to accept that it will amusement added barter any better.”

A agent for Microsoft beneath to animadversion or verify that the aggregation had apparent the letter.