Microsoft DVD yarn is a hoax

THE IT press is all a buzz after businessonline.com ran a story about a Microsoft plan to release DVDs that can only be used once.

The story, here, said that Microsoft was offering the disposable DVDs as a method of fighting pirates.

The yarn was penned by one Tony Glover and picked up by Paul Thurrott of Windows IT Pro, here. It was later picked up other online magazines.

The problem is Microsoft isn't doing it at all and the yarn created some confusion at Vole Central.

When Ed Bott gave Vole a ring, a spinner said it had never heard of such a cunning plan.

A spokesvole told him that the story appears to be based on confusing an existing feature within Windows Media DRM that allows for single-play of promotional digital material.

Apparently this is not new and has been an option for content owners to use for some time for the Windows Media format. It does not apply to MPEG2 content found on DVDs.

Oops. You can read Ed's stuff here. µ