“Customers who have purchased music from Microsoft’s now-defunct MSN Music store are now facing a decision they never anticipated making: commit to which computers (and OS) they want to authorize forever, or give up access to the music they paid for. Why? Because Microsoft has decided that it’s done supporting the service and will be turning off the MSN Music license servers by the end of this summer,” Jacqui Cheng reports for Ars Technica.
Cheng reports, “MSN Entertainment and Video Services general manager Rob Bennett sent out an e-mail this afternoon to customers, advising them to make any and all authorizations or deauthorizations before August 31. ‘As of August 31, 2008, we will no longer be able to support the retrieval of license keys for the songs you purchased from MSN Music or the authorization of additional computers,’ reads the e-mail seen by Ars. ‘You will need to obtain a license key for each of your songs downloaded from MSN Music on any new computer, and you must do so before August 31, 2008. If you attempt to transfer your songs to additional computers after August 31, 2008, those songs will not successfully play.'”
Cheng reports, “This doesn’t just apply to the five different computers that PlaysForSure allows users to authorize, it also applies to operating systems on the same machine (users need to reauthorize a machine after they upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, for example). Once September rolls around, users are committed to whatever five machines they may have authorized—along with whatever OS they are running. “
Full article here.
Microsoft treating their suckers customers like garbage is par for the course.
This’ll inspire even more consumer confidence in Microsoft’s Zune fiasco. Use those “points” while you’ve got ’em, ya hear?
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Follower” for the heads up.]
Too much fun !
OK Zune Tang. I know you are a closet Mac user who has a lot of fun with MDN’s stories but even you will have a hard time putting out a positive spin with this one.
Care to try?
Well surprise, surprise! What a shocker!
I like John Gruber’s take on this http://daringfireball.net/linked/2008/april#tue-22-drm
quote:
“This is bad news for all seven of the people who bought songs from MSN Music.”
PLAYS FOR SURE!
OK, now tell me again why subscription services are better than owning a song?
And before you get off on the rant of “Well iTMS songs still have to be authorized” the difference is that if Apple ever decided to shut down they can flip a bit and unlock the songs permanently. PlaysForSure never had support for that.
Microsoft never cease to amaze me.
Wow. I mean, WOW!
MDN Magic Word: mean
THIS, my friends (and various lurking Windows trolls), is why the market doesn’t like subscription-based music services.
Surprise ???
No.
Hmmmmm,
The article also says, “Of course, MSN Music customers do have one other option: burning all of their music to audio CD and then re-ripping them back to the computer as MP3s, sans DRM. But that’s a lossy, lousy solution.”
I wonder, does MS playsforcrap really allow you to burn CDs??? I thought it was not allowed. Info is appreciated.
en
@Buster,
I’m doubting Zune Tang will reply at all on this thread. He only seems to respond to stuff he can use to Big-Up Microsoft!
I used to believe he was a Mac fan that was having a laugh but nowadays I am not so sure he isn’t a genuine ‘doze fanboi…
Time will tell (or maybe not)
@Buster
I think you fail to see the sarcasm in Zune Tang
I will be waiting for his entertaining input on this though.
Zuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnneeeeee TTTTTTaaaannnggggggg!!!!
You’re making me cry…. with joy….
“Zuney, you gots some splaining to do….”
Bring it!!!!
MW: trouble
Microsoft is turning into the biggest joke of the tech industry.
I’m glad I moved to iTunes before I decided to download music online.
Classic!
But the iPod is just a fad right?
And the Mac OS will never have more than 2% market share too right?
Oh, and there’s no chance that the iPhone is going to get any significant market share. No chance…right???
OK everyone. In your best Nelson voice:
Haaaawhaaaaah!!!
The great irony is their choice of naming convention: Plays For Sure! How can you trust a company that does that and pulls the rug just a couple of years out?
Microsoft: this is VERY bad form.
Oh the irony in their service being called “PlaysForSure”! I love it!
Does anyone know if you can burn these songs to a disc so they won’t “disappear” if you get a new PeeCee?
Just curious.
And, yes, a serious post for once.
They owe it to their customers to release software that strips the DRM off the music now. Doubt they will do it, but its the only ethical thing to do.
Jeez, I hope Steam never goes away….
With its customers, Microsoft plays for sure.
SUCKERS! SUCKERS! SUCKERS! AHAHAHAHAHA. I wonder how the three stooges of the Windows World will spin this one. Suckers.. LOL
Buster, you should not tease your lover, Zune Tang like that.
He might cut you off! But making up and making out is fun to do!
As expected all I’m reading here is typical gloating from smug MAC losers. With all the doom and gloom from Cupertino these days you have to take it when you can get it I guess. Whatever.
Folks, the reality is this: No pain, no gain. Microsoft is gently nudging PlaysForSure enthusiasts to their magnificent Zune Marketplace where points rule the day. I’d hate to be stuck with Apple’s proprietary lock-in and has-been I-Pod right now. Good thing I have a Zune.
As far as PlaysForSure goes, luckily my Dell Ditty is filled to capacity with my favorite workout mix and I don’t think I’ll be changing that anytime soon. As long as my trusty Ditty keeps running I can forever enjoy timeless classics like Olivia Newton John’s ‘Lets Get Physical’ and Quiet Riot’s ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’ on the treadmill. No big loss here.
Your potential. Our passion.™
The monetary value of the goodwill they just lost must be millions more than the cost of running their servers.
They could have given everyone a $0.50 refund per song purchased or a $50 Napster gift certificate or a free Zune or anything else than this. Microsoft’s marketing department should be sacked.
Alternatively, this could be another class-action lawsuit for legitimate customers – both of them.
I don’t see the problem, just go to radio shack, buy a tape recorder, and transfer everything to cassette. Make sure to put it right up to the speaker for optimal sound quality.
Parallels the damned thing and you will forever have a virtual “PeeCee” that you can forever archive.
F*ckedForSure
ScrewedForSure
PlaysLikeSh*t
PlayedForSure (not my idea but very funny)
(come on, keep them coming; this is so funny)
What happens when all 53 of the people that actually paid for a Zune switch to iPods? Will Microslop close the Marketplace too?
What will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Vista? PlaysForCrap? There’s going to be a mass exodus from Microsoft with each new screw-up.
It’s satisfying I must say after years of defending Macs from so many Windows users, I just hope it doesn’t turn Apple into Microsoft. Without competition there’s no need to innovate and really, Apple has no competition right now. It’s like the Boston Celtics playing against the local High School Basketball team.
It’s official; ZuneTang RULES.
You hear me!?!? F*kking RULEZZZ!
apple has had a few bouts with treating their customers badly and when they do, it is headline news. MS does it, another day another dollar.
PS I have yet to see an MS Zune in the wild. Not one single device. Microsoft’s track record on anything new is beyond bad.
Competition sure is a good thing!
Zune Tang has a DJ Ditty!!
Brilliant!
I like that it’s called PlaysForSure, and then Microsuck comes along and tells you it won’t play. Nice work, retards.
OH MY GOD!!! I just figured it out. This is the PERFECT business model the music industry/RIAA has been looking for.
Step 1: Buy DRM Music from a broadly licensed format
Step 2: Stop supporting the DRM format.
Step 3: Force everyone to rebuy music, PCs, mp3 players that support the new format that’s here to stay
Step 4: Repeat as needed.
This is even better than subscriptions!!!
P.S – Buster & British did you REALLY think Zune Tang™ was a fan of PlaysForSure? It’s in the fraking name!
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MS comes through again! Putting its customers 1st… er, well – 2nd – no 3rd… Well, putting their customers somewhere on their priority list.
… Well at least MS sent an email to all of its customers.
I don’t make gloating a habit – but I’m thoroughly enjoying this!
“Customers who have purchased music from Microsoft’s now-defunct MSN Music store are now facing a decision they never anticipated making”
That’s because they don’t bloody listen. All you had to do was stop by this site any time in the last 3 years and you might have picked up the subtle hints. If it’s too late for you, then listen to me now and believe me later: Someday, the Zune Marketplace will screw you just as badly.
I have spoken.
Microsoft – Our crap, your pain and suffering.
Gloat gloat gloat…
@ Mr. Peabody
“Well, putting their customers somewhere on their priority list.”
Do they?
@C1 – Excellent point my dear!
Microsoft certainly has the right to shut down their program, but surely they are required to provide access to already purchased music.
In other words, provide unlocked versions or a refund, since they are withdrawing already paid for services.
I have no doubt that there is a clause in the Microsoft legal agreement that essentially says that Microsoft can do whatever they want, but, surely THAT is illegal, like so many other Microsoft actions.
Sounds like grounds for Yet Another Microsoft Class Action Lawsuit.
Hello – any lawyers out there?
Here’s a great opportunity to make a buck and help chop down a rapacious corporate thug. Think of it as a Duty, part of the, practically speaking, outsourcing of the anti-trust division of the Department Of Justice.
This is why DRM sucks.
This happened a few years ago with Google’s video service and if you think this won’t eventually happen to Apple too you are mistaken.
OK Windows users … bend over and look out of the window … and what do you see?
Gotcha! Screwed you again!
Thanks for your money, again!
Till next M$ plot to find a way to give it to you!
@ Mr. Peabody
I think customers are a necessary evil in Microsoft’s business strategy. Their partners come first, and any top excec will tell you that. Bill once said in an interview that Vista was the best OS because MS had ‘more partners’.
Developers come next. Then developers, developers, developers. Next comes the IT Establishment – a generation of MCSE drones that love their ties and Beemers and Blackberrys, and you’d better use their platforms Or Else.
All this concern for B-to-B relationships is great to keep the money machine rolling.
Finally, the end user… screw them! Make it cheap, rough, and ready, and IT will sort it out. That’s what we pay them for! Put just enough money into UI to copy the Mac and it will be Good Enough™.
Step 4 – Profit.
There you have it – the Microsoft Economy.
Its collapse will be spectacular.
“I’d hate to be stuck with Apple’s proprietary lock-in and has-been I-Pod right now. Good thing I have a Zune. “
What is a Zune?
Only Microsoft would think it reasonable hold the music that you paid for hostage. I would not be surprised if Microsoft later announces that it will limit play back on PC’s running Vista <b>EXCLUSIVELY>/b>.
Will the last person leaving please turn off the lights.
@C1 says, “Its collapse will be spectacular.”
Right now I’m clicking my heels together and quietly repeating, over and over again, “… I want to believe – I want to believe…”
BWAAAA-HAHAHAHAHA!
AAAHHHH-HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!
MUAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
i just gotta type this…
ROTFLMAO!!!!!
I wonder what the whiners over at Anythingbutipod.com will have to say about this turn of events…
Hmmmm…. (scratches chin thoughtfully)
@Peter J-
Windows users are used to suffering- that’s what they ARE, for chrissakes! They’re comfortable with martyrdom! The school I work for is trading their Macs for Dells. Why? Because of a complete lack of any real leadership and dullards in decision-making capacities that can’t understand that Microsoft does NOT give a flying chair about the user, except for the money that’s in their pockets.
There’s no straw with these people, believe me…
PayedForSure
PlaysForNow
PlaysUntilWeThinkYou’reStupidEnoughToBuySomethingElseFromUs
PreysForSure
PratsForSure
PluckedForShare
Way to build brand loyalty MS. Why on earth people keep trusting them I’ll never know. And I don’t think it would be too hard for MS to keep supporting this. I mean how many people actually bought anything from the “PlaysForSure” program anyway? I bet an old 386 box running Win 3.11 could handle “all” the requests coming in.
Of course, if MS flips a bit and provides the songs unencumbered with protection, then likely the Music LAwyers will be off in hot sursuit of illegal music since there’s no doubt there was a clause saying MS must encrypt the music!
PlayedForChumps….
Dude, they totally got zuned!
People I am going to say this for the last time (well I said it was the last time the last time but it bears repeating). I understand the satire of Zune Tang. Like many of you I can find his post occasionally funny. I know he is a secret Mac user. My only beef has been that he is REPETITIVE.
This is why I baited him to comment on this story because due to the content, anything he would say could only be lame.
And guess what….I was 100% right. Sorry ZT, your response was indeed lame. I would pick my commenting opportunities a little better in the future.
I can smell the fear from you MAC lemmings.
Whether it’s MDN declaring the Zune a ‘fiasco’ or C1 making truly absurd predictions like Zune Marketplace’s demise—your smug MAC insecurity is palpable, but thats to be expected. You MAC sheep are about to get another Microsoft beat down, this time coming from Zune and Zune Marketplace. So sad.
The cracks in your little I-Pod/I-Tunes facade is more apparent every day. Every Zune you see on the street or at the gym is a threat and you’re scared.
Your potential. Our passion.™
What’s amazing is people/consumers continue to support MS products.
Quote ChrissyOne
“That’s because they don’t bloody listen. All you had to do was stop by this site any time in the last 3 years and you might have picked up the subtle hints. If it’s too late for you, then listen to me now and believe me later: Someday, the Zune Marketplace will screw you just as badly.”
Hum, Worse because when MS closes the Music/Video Service parts of it. you will not be able to sue them for money. Because, the music tracks and videos didn’t cost you any money. Microsoft’s model is based on once they have you’re money they are only liable to you to refund your account points and oddly enough MS states the points have no cash value.
The points are used and legally termed under the S&H;Green Stamps model, Damn I’m old.
MS screws you once when you buy the points and they screw you again when you use the points and they’ll screw you a final time when they kill off the service and render what you paid for worth what a MS Market Place point is worth in the real world.
Zune Tang® you’re ace. Keep it up son!
@Demon
You don’t know what you’re talking about. Points have no monetary value, but money has monetary value. Now which would you rather spend: worthless points or hard earned money? I don’t expect a MAC fanboi to get it, but us Zune enthusiasts do and we get the last laugh. You said it yourself:
“…the music tracks and videos didn’t cost you any money.”
That’s the beauty of Zune Marketplace. Microsoft’s revolutionary and user friendly points system is brilliant in that it doesn’t cost you any money. Dinosaur Apple is left to callously demand currency for its content at the dumpy I-Tunes Store. Think differerent, MAC sheep.
Your potential. Our passion.™
@Buster – Agreed! ZT’s “humor” is soooooooooooooooooooooo tiresome and sleep-inducingly repetitive.
@Demon – Great insight on the MS sneak factor.
Playsforsure = Oxymoron
“Every Zune you see on the street or at the gym is a threat and you’re scared.”
um….I don’t know anyone with a Zune and have never seen anyone with one. The only time I see them is dusty on a store shelf.
so the “wow” doesn’t happen “now” it’ll happen aug. 31, 08.
The irony here is that people have shunned Apple’s “proprietary” systems for year just because of fear of this kind of thing happening. Now, its MS that’s screwing people over with their supposedly open platform.
@Newton
Some mentioned this a long time ago and I repeat, I know Zune Tang’s identity. He is the former Iraqi Information Minister Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf under Saddam Hussein (this guy was a real hoot if you remember him).
@ZT…give it up…its getting worse.
“What is a Zune?”
I believe it is the sound little kids make while playing with toy cars in the sand box. Zune! Zune! Zuuuuunnnne!
Poooooor Zune Tongued In The Butt. No more DELL DJ Tit… err Ditty to play with. hahaha
I thought PlaysForSure had already been replaced by SquirtsForSure?
I have yet to see a Zune. Anywhere ever. But I can’t count how many ipods i have seen my my life time. i have more broken ipods in my bed room night stand then most people would ever consider owning
DRM well it just sucks.
But i still buy all my Music from ITMS. it’s the Greatest shit ever.
Too bad there aren’t enough customers to file a class action suit.
@ Zunethang
“That’s the beauty of Zune Marketplace. Microsoft’s revolutionary and user friendly points system is brilliant in that it doesn’t cost you any money.”
Well Microsoft isn’t giving the points away for free. They charge real Money for the points and the system is designed so that you can’t spend out an even number of points, ever. So, in the end Microsoft is shafting every MS Market place customer with the big Ballmer fist up their Jerry Yang.
I smell a class action lawsuit coming . . . .
Screwed-4-Sure
Why else would they shut it down, but for lack of customers and lack of interest.
So, does this Microsoft strategy make Zune owners double-suckers?
Hopefully this will piss off enough “customers” that Apple will sell a whole extra dozen or so iPods next quarter.
Gee, I saw a guy with a Zune on the subway last week. I was SO excited, it was my third Zune sighting (red, pink and brown)… and I live in NYC! So, the guy gave me a dirty look when he saw me make a face. I TRIED not to laugh, honest!
So, what they are saying is…. With the normal life expectancy of a PC, all traces of PlaysForSure will be a distant memory by Christmas of 2010. And they probably expect Zune Marketplace to reel ’em in again. Good Luck wit that.
Unbelievable. How much would it cost Microsoft to keep a few servers running to support the few customers this service did have? This is terrible customer service and even worse PR. No doubt Zune Marketplace will follow, one year later.
NO ONE CARES! HOW MANY ZUNE USERS ARE THERE? 20? 24?!
iPod Touch DEMOLISHED the Zune.
Apple LEADS in technology and innovation.
PERIOD.
-go squirt someone ZuneTang. (lmao VISTA, ohh god Microsoft!)
Lot of funny comments on this one, thank you all. But a serious question; does this mean the subscription model for selling music is dead or will this be spun as a good thing for the subscription model?
@Demon
With all due respect, points aren’t money, they’re points. I’ll try to explain it to a namby pamby MAC lemming one more time:
Music and video on Zune Marketplace can be downloaded for points. You can’t even use money to get content. That’s where Microsoft has Apple by the Jobs, and by all the Zunes I’ve been squirting with lately they’re squeezing ’em tighter.
Your potential. Our passion.™
People who use Microsoft products think this is all normal and accept what ever Microsoft say and does as a reality. Thats their reality for better or worse!
@ Zune Thang
Microsoft isn’t giving the points away for free out of the goodness of their heart! Now, are they, No! What is the minimum number of point you can purchase from Microsoft’s Market Place? 100, 1000, 10000… ? and how much does that block of points cost you? $10.00, $50.00, $100.00…?. How many point does it take to get a single Music Video? 1 point, 10 points, 100 points…?
Let me know, I’ll teach you some good old math and common sense too.
@C1
No, you can’t use “I have spoken.” That’s because MS’ crap clogs up the internet tubes and your voice can’t get through. May I humbly suggest:
It is written!
ChrissOne,
Great post on the China store within a store story from Bartt. Any comments?
@Zune Tang®
“…Quiet Riot’s ‘Cum on Feel the Noize” – Ha Ha Ha you tool Zunnie’.
Just like your computer habits, you prefer back to front, second-rate cover bands.
Try the real thing here buddy – SLADE ‘Cum on Feel the Noize’
Plays 4 Suckers.
And @ Sky Lark:
Slade is awesome.
Quiet Riot was just a Slade cover band for more than one tune. Though unlike some bands they did a good job on the songs.
Hmm… PlaysForSure… sounds like Orwellian doublespeak to me… even more so now.
DRM is DEAD! Walmart.com has been selling Mp3s since February and Napster announced all sales (not subscription) will be Mp3. The British 7digital that already sells 80% of its downloads (both mp3 and AAC) is planning a US store.
@HMCIV
They’ve sort of always done this; re-issue after re-issue of the same music remastered for a new format, putting out multiple versions of the same album simultaneously, EP 1 & 2 scams . . . the lis goes on and on. this is why the death of the physical format has all the cartels panties in a twist. As for Microsoft though, it seemed to be pretty clear to me that their model is intrinsically engineered to self destruct. Nobondy actually BUYS anything from MS-they pay for the privilege to USE it. I think it’s hysterical that even with all of the concessions they made with the music cartels they are still flaccidly flapping and gasping. tSo many more of their <strike>prisoners</strike> customers are about to leave in a big way, methinks.
The Zune must be an iPod Killer. their sales numbers are just overwhelming. Whether it is phones or iPods, it is frutal to copy where Apple has been.
Next step for Microsoft: “We have decided to no longer support our OS’s. We need to keep our eye on our core business, real estate.”
@ Demon
Good Points!
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@ Ed
WTF are you talking about?
@ ChrissyOne
Always enjoy proving a Point
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What’s the point of Zune if you can never burn your songs to a CD?
“Zune Pass–How Does It Work?
You can get a Zune Pass that’s good for either one or three months at a time. Charge your subscription directly to your credit card or enter a code from a prepaid card. Songs you get with a Zune Pass can be copied to up to three computers and three Zune devices, but they can’t be burned to CDs. If you want to do that, buy those songs* with Microsoft Points.”
Microsoft → Your wallet, our passion.
@hm… LMAO good one!
Hey. What can you say about a society that says that God is dead and Elvis is alive?
I am from Tunisia and also now am reading in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “In an collective middle, a process can be associated a behalf of an contributor making an only percussionist, and is born by a entrenched mainstream.”
THX 8), Elena.