Microsoft's unveils latest DRM

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 13 Feb 2008 at 15:37

Microsoft has unveiled PlayReady, its latest DRM technology.

PlayReady supports all file formats including the AAC audio and H.264 video formats popularised by Apple's iTunes. In addition to audio and video, it can also be applied to games, ringtones, images or software as Microsoft looks to spread the technology among other household devices such as set-top boxes.

PlayReady also allows users to register multiple devices under a "domain" system. Users are then free to move content freely between these devices, and add more if they need too, although Microsoft has not made it clear how many devices can be added to a domain.

PlayReader also allows the usual restrictions. Content won't play on unregistered devices and providers are free to restrict CD burning, for example, or limit when or how many times content can be played.

Telefónica/O2, Verizon, Bouygues Telecom, Cingular Wireless and AT&T have said that they plan to implement the technology, which Microsoft publicly demonstrated for the first time this week.

PlayReady is also backward compatible with Windows Media DRM 10.