Microsoft Introduces PlayReady DRM System
Link: Microsoft Introduces PlayReady DRM System
Microsoft launched PlayReady at the 3GSM show in Barcelona - a new digital rights management system (DRM) which allows the use of commercial content on multiple different devices for a single fee.
The system allows operators to sell a range of media subscriptions, including subscription, rental, pay-per-view and preview services for music, ring-tones, games and wallpapers.
Users are able to download content and then share it between devices such as mobile phones and PCs through a system of virtual environments called domains. People can register multiple devices within a domain.
Alternatively, a user could download the content several times to each device.
PlayReady will be implemented by a series of mobile operators including O2 and Telefónica and will be available for use on handsets by the first half of this year.
However, Microsoft has already been roundly criticised for its strict compliance on DRM with Windows Vista, especially where it may restrict users to require additional equipment to play legally purchased content on their own PC’s.
Additionally, there’s a general backlash against DRM in general developing in the technology world.
It therefore remains to be seen how much acceptance, let alone longevity, the PlayReady system may have.
