Microsoft Denies Plans to Add Pirated Content Filters to Zune

On May 5, 2008 Microsoft introduced the latest update to its Zune software solutions as well as the online services built around the digital media player. With in excess of two million Zunes sold since the introduction of the product, one million just since Zune 2.0 at the end of 2007, the Redmond company took Zune to version 2.5 and also revamped Zune Social, Zune Cards and announced the debut of availability of video content through the Zune Marketplace. But with the new video materials and T.V. shows made available for download, speculation debuted that Microsoft would introduce filtering technology to the digital media players via a future update in order to prevent end users from playing pirated content. Such a scenario is supported by NBC Universal, one of Microsoft's new partners who has divorced Apple, and is focusing on Zune.

"Partnering with Zune will allow us to develop innovative content offerings for their customers, including flexible pricing and packaging options beginning this fall," said JB Perrette, president of NBC Universal Digital Distribution. "NBC Universal is excited to offer our hit television shows to Zune customers." But Perrette also revealed that NBC Universal is negotiating with Microsoft to put a content filtering solution on the Zune devices, preventing end users from handling pirated content on their media players.

Microsoft's Cesar Menendez addressed the subject of the possible addition of content filtering features directly into the Zune family of digital media players concomitantly with future releases of the devices. "We have no plans or commitments to implement any new type of content filtering in the Zune devices as part of our content distribution deal with NBC. We think some folks in the industry were expressing hopes for how the entire industry, not just Microsoft, would come to look at content distribution, and some speculation has ensued. Again, no plans are in place toward this end. I hope this clears up any confusion on the topic, and that you can now go back to enjoying the spring update," Menendez stated.


Zune Spring Update 2.5 - The Video