Take a look at this portion of Windows Media Player 9's EULA:

" Content providers are using the digital rights management technology contained in the OS Components ("DRM") to protect the integrity of their content ("Secure Content") so that their intellectual property, including copyright, in such content is not misappropriated. Portions of the OS Components and third party applications such as media players use DRM to play Secure Content ("DRM Software"). If the DRM Software’s security has been compromised, owners of Secure Content ("Secure Content Owners") may request that Microsoft revoke the DRM Software’s right to copy, display and/or play Secure Content. Revocation does not alter the DRM Software’s ability to play unprotected content. A list of revoked DRM Software is sent to your computer whenever you download a license for Secure Content from the Internet. You therefore agree that Microsoft may, in conjunction with such license, also download revocation lists onto your computer on behalf of Secure Content Owners. Microsoft will not retrieve any personally identifiable information, or any other information, from your computer by downloading such revocation lists. Secure Content Owners may also require you to upgrade some of the DRM components in the OS Components ("DRM Upgrades") before accessing their content. When you attempt to play such content, Microsoft DRM Software will notify you that a DRM Upgrade is required and then ask for your consent before the DRM Upgrade is downloaded. Third party DRM Software may do the same. If you decline the upgrade, you will not be able to access content that requires the DRM Upgrade; however, you will still be able to access unprotected content and Secure Content that does not require the upgrade."

Diss-cust-ing!

:puke: :vomit: :spew:

Folks, "A list of revoked DRM Software is sent to your computer whenever you download a license for Secure Content from the Internet."NEVER "download a license for Secure Content. You WILL be sorry!!! If you come across such DRM infected content, we ask that you DELETE it and/or throw it in the garbage where it belongs.

I have already come across DRM infecte MP3 files during my project. Whenever I try to play them, they ask if I waant to register the file and get a license. I tell it "no", get rid of it, and go out and find another copy that doesn't have that junk on it.

Hmmm. I have WMP8. Fact is, it sounds better than Winamp.

Is there software out there that will play CD, WAV, and MP3 that sounds better than WMP8/9? I'd appreaciate any input from one who can hear the difference.

autodidact I do not use wmp at all. I use winamp 2.95 with the mad plug-in, sounds good to me. Worth a try.
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/8-mad-plugin-for-winamp.html
http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=winamp 2.95

BS Player. Plays everything.
www.bsplayer.org/

(sigh)
http:www.bsplayer.org/

Odd, it usually gets converted to a link here.
third try:
http://www.bsplayer.org/

I've been using wmp9 for years out of sheer laziness...never had any problems until a few months ago. I've always been careful about updates (no automatic updating etc), but somehow one day wmp decided that the dvds I buy on the street here in China are not acceptable and will not play them, giving me a message about DRM (can't remember what it says). I use Media Player Classic now (that real Alternative player) for my dvds and it wroks great, but dammit, I'd love to know how MY pc suddenly developed "DRM consciousness". Any idea where this list can be found?

Incidentally, I have encountered this request for a license with several files in Adobe Reader 7.0.

Microsoft is going to lose its place in the world market if it keeps going on like this. As I understand it, the Chinese government has already shed the ball and chain of MS for the freedom of Linux, and more and more businesses here are seeing the cost-effectiveness and practicality of doing so to. I myself have a couple of books on how to drop MS in favor of Linux and have just been procrastinating.

Microsoft: Just PISS ME OFF AGAIN and I will procrastinate no longer. Nobody wants a cop in their house overseeing everything they do, so what makes you think they will stand for one in their pcs?

If an application needs to phone home just to
play an mp3 or mpg then stay the hell away.

I also use an old version of WinAmp for audio (2.74 ?), sounds cleaner thur my stereo (I use a stage PA so it doesn't get bored from my lack of playing the bars lately...), I use Windows Media Player Classic for video. Why update when 5yr old technology runs smoother and is DRM free?

It will be here, sooner or later: The listener license

That would be horrid indeed, but such a thing WON'T happen if We of the Boycott Riaa & related community have anything to say about it iOrbit.

That's bs.

Never mind about bs player. It's now bundled with adware. If you can find an older version, I'm using 3.7, it's great.

This player plays what you wanna play with out Bull for video. MusicMatch is good for MP3's cuz it has clear playlists, which the former lacks.

http://www.videolan.org/

Here's another player

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/dbpoweramp.htm