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Tom Potts wrote:
Just been reading through that article, and found a link to an article on eWeek's web site: http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1624907,00.asp?kc=EWNKT0209KTX1K0100440Alas its worse than that: http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20060424164142296 Tom
The bit I found interesting was..."Microsoft also agreed to grant Lindows a limited, four-year license to unspecified Windows Media components, which Lindows intends to include in its newly renamed Linspire operating system, the filing stated."
Not to mention Microsoft have paid Linspire $20 million.Now that got me thinking... Sure, Linspire & Freespire play Windows Media DRM infected files, but say the Freespire/Linspire user then goes buying lots of DRM infected Windows Media format files (video, audio etc). Say they've spent out god knows how much on the media, and the 4 years pass and then Microsoft say, right Linspire, you have to send out an update the users of Freespire & Linspire to say, times up, no more Windows Media files unless you change over to Vista or something. If the Freespire or Linspire user has spent lots of money on DRM infected media they'd either have to move over to Vista or loose their media (or maybe even be forced to pay a monthly subscription to be able to continue using the Windows Media components in Freespire/Linspire and in the process, make Microsoft lots of money. Either way it's a win/win situation for Microsoft. If the user changes over to Vista, Microsoft make money from licences, or if the user stays with Freespire/Linspire, MS make money from licensing.
Oh dear, that really is worrying. Judging by Microsoft's previous licensing episodes (Software Ass. etc) I'm sure it'd be something they'd look at.
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