Although I’m still not completely convinced that this so-called“Microsoft Zune” thing actually exists, Microsoft originally promised a3x3 sharing scheme for songs on Zune players. In short, if two Zunesare in wireless range of one another, a secondary Zune-holder can playmusic from the primary Zune-holder three full times within three days…
and that’s it. (Keep in mind, however, that the iPod offers no suchfunctionality.)
But, as if the 3x3 scheme wasn’t restrictiveenough, it appears that some songs licensed by Sony and Universal arenot shareable at all. Additionally, song buyers get no warning aboutthis restriction upon purchase, just a sweet error message for thatcalming sense of closure. So, although Microsoft offered some coolfunctionality, it’s apparently slightly dysfunctional.
CongressmanRick Boucher (D-VA) has proposed legislation to require sellers toclearly label protected content. But, for now, good luck.
What do you think?
(via Engadget and Public Knowledge)
