The release of Microsoft's Windows Media Data Session for Windows Media 9 hasn't attracted widespread media coverage (to judge from Google News), but it should. The purpose of this software is to allow "media companies to protect content delivered to consumers by putting music on to a copy-controlled CD in multiple layers." In addition to the software, a list of key supporters - including CD manufacturer MPO, Universal Music Group and EMI - suggests that the music industry supports the new format. But will consumers? Windows media 9 is being touted as an alternative to MPEG 4, which means yet another stupid standards war. More to the point, the questions remains whether people are willing to give up control of the content on their own computer. If this initiative is successful, expect it to be emulated for a wide variety of content. But if it fails (or succumbs to a widely distributed hack, as happened to DVD and Adobe copy protection formats), then chalk it up as just another dubious technology. More coverage on BetaNews, News Interactive, CNet and PC Advisor.
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