Someone explain to me the security features of WMA files.

[NuclearNed]

So this Christmas I bought my wife a digital audio player that supports both MP3 and WMA. Shortly after Christmas, I went looking to sign her up with a pay download site, and was pleased to find that Urge offered a free two week no limit trial.

So I did what every red-blooded American with a high speed connection would do.

I downloaded music until I was nearly comatose from staring at my pc for days on end (I had the whole week of Christmas off from work). I downloaded until my fingers were numb from clicking the mouse. For the love of mercy, I downloaded enough music that generations from now my ancestors will still have fresh new music to enjoy.

So a couple of days ago I got an email from Urge saying something to the effect of "...blah blah blah your free trial period is over blah blah blah give us some money if you want to subscribe blah blah blah..." Then at the bottom of the email, there is this little blurb:

"Please note: You must have an active subscription in order to enjoy the music you downloaded during the free trial period. (Of course, you can still enjoy any music you purchased at URGE.)"

This made me think that WMA files have some sort of expiration date. The thing is, the music I downloaded still plays perfectly fine. So now my assumption is that Urge is trying to guilt me into not listening to "illegal" music (it was once legal, just not anymore, according to them).

Whats up with that?

 

[Sukhoi]

Rip it to MP3 real quick to be safe.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
Rip it to MP3 real quick to be safe.

I had considered that, but (no joke) that would probably take days or even weeks due to the sheer volume of music I downloaded.

 

[wazzledoozle]

I think they expire after a month (the normal billing cycle for unlimited subscriptions). So at the end of january WMP will call home to check and see if the licenses are still valid.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Shens? Or have you seriously never head of Microsoft DRM?

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Shens? Or have you seriously never head of Microsoft DRM?

Obviously I've heard of it, but I've never had to deal with it until now since I've never dealt with pay download sites.

 

[Viper GTS]

Originally posted by: wazzledoozle
I think they expire after a month (the normal billing cycle for unlimited subscriptions). So at the end of january WMP will call home to check and see if the licenses are still valid.

Yup they'll keep playing until your license expires & then it's all over.

Viper GTS

 

[thehstrybean]

Fair Use 4 WM FTW!!!

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
Shens? Or have you seriously never head of Microsoft DRM?

Obviously I've heard of it, but I've never had to deal with it until now since I've never dealt with pay download sites.

Ah, well then. As mentioned above, they really will stop playing. I don't know the gritty details, but basically the files are encrypted, and you have to keep asking Microsoft for the key to decrypt them. Once your license expires, they stop telling you. The files will only play on Microsoft OS's and certain mp3 players (I assume the one you bought is on the list).

You really think they were just going to let you keep all that music

 

[Skeeedunt]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Fair Use 4 WM FTW!!!

Does this still work? And is it really considered legal under fair use, or is it a DMCA violation (or circumvention or whatever it is that applies)? I know most don't care, but I was curious if anyone knew the legal standing of it.

 

[wazzledoozle]

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Fair Use 4 WM FTW!!!

Does this still work? And is it really considered legal under fair use, or is it a DMCA violation (or circumvention or whatever it is that applies)? I know most don't care, but I was curious if anyone knew the legal standing of it.

Last I heard it stopped working. But they are always releasing new versions...