Sony and Universal Prohibit Sharing Via Zune

ack154 writes "Engadget has a story about Sony and Universal Music apparently denying Zune owners the ability to 'squirt' songs by certain artists to other Zune users. That's right, if you've actually purchased songs from the Zune marketplace and happen to run into another Zune owner, you're prohibited from sharing certain songs. From the article: 'In a non-scientific sampling of popular artists by Zunerama and Zune Thoughts, it looks like it's roughly 40-50 percent of artists that fall under this prohibited banner, and the worst news is that there's no warning that a song might be unsharable until you actually try to send it and fail.'"

All Access Squirt Passes

[DannyO152]

would have cost $2 per unit for Universal, I gather.

What's that sound?

[Anonymous Coward]

A resounding "FUCK!" from all of those who have bought MSFT stock hoping that Zune will catch on.

How do you want to be abused today?

[Futurepower(R)]

A lot of people think that Microsoft is an abusive software company. However, the facts seem to fit the theory that Microsoft is an abuse company that sells software.

--
U.S. government violence has stopped the centuries-long violence in Iraq and created a peaceful democracy. NOT!

Like this matters

[RichPowers]

It'd be a miracle if two strangers with Zunes were ever in the same area so they could "squirt" songs together. Man, that sounds wrong.

Not really a problem

[Anonymous Coward]

if you've actually purchased songs from the Zune marketplace and happen to run into another Zune owner...

Given the near astronomical odds of actually finding another Zune owner within a 20-mile radius that you'd want to share your music with, I think this problem is pretty much moot.

Fine with me.

[inode_buddha]

Fine with me. I'm still trying to scrub my brain out after picturing Ballmer squirting. *shrug*

Oh Noes!!!

[ruiner13]

I can only imagine how upset the zune owners will be once they find this out. Heck, both of them might even return the zunes!

Re:What's that sound?

[chill]

Yeah, both of 'em.

Re:Like this matters

[davecarlotub]

Hey, anyone want to meet in the park to squirt each other pictures of our families?

I heard somewhere that George Michael was recently spotted squirting his songs to various passersby at a rest stop in New Jersey.

Re:What next?

[Mex]

Shhh! Don't give them any ideas!

Take the statistic with a grain of salt.

[twitter]

Yeah, both of 'em.

The chances of them meeting are far lower than the 40-50% chance of their "squirt" failing. Yet another unverifiable, speculative statistic.

This time for sure, Charlie

[straponego]

Come on, loyal Microsoft customers, what are the odds that she'd pull the ball away just before you try to kick it again? You're due!

/me waits for the inevitable "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGGGH!!"

Re:How do you want to be abused today?

[GoodbyeBlueSky1]

Aha! No you want Room 12A, next door.

Re:What next?

[vought]

Earbuds/headphones that automatically mute when someone other than their owner tries to listen to music with them?


We're working on this. All the user has to do is re-enter their Zune Marketplace PIN when the earphones sense a temperature swing. This will-reenable playback.

Here at Microsoft, we're really excited about the new features we can leverage our technology to bring to you.

-Steve Ballmer, Robbie Bach, and the Rest of the "Don't get it Gang", Working for You, The User.

Re:What's that sound?

[Anonymous Coward]

"FUCK!"

Yes, that's "zijun" in Hebrew. Now you see the *real* reason for the product's name.

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:What next?

[MichaelSmith]

auto-rate the song based on your pleasure response. On the back end an E-bid style site allows music producers to buy the marketing data.

No, you pay up front for the enjoyment rating of the song. If your enjoyment goes beyond what you have paid for they bill you again.

Re:Stick a fork in it.

[Teresita]

The Zune display at Circuit City is just as big as the Divx display was back in about 1996, same hopeful looks in the salesperson's eyes as you float by.

What they mean is

[geekoid]

with the Zune's bulk, you could easily use it to smash an iPhone or iPod.

Re:So...

[arekusu]

It's pretty useful as a source of jokes.

I mean, how many other logos [bdmonkeys.net] can you make look like a cat-butt?

Re:All Access Squirt Passes

[Wandering Wombat]

Sounds like some sort of Microsoft Condom...

))<drm>((

[Anonymous Coward]

back and forth

Re:Like this matters

[dangitman]

I'm sure Heinlein used it and I'm also just as sure I've seen it used by other authors.

Well, that's what you'd expect from sickos like Heinlein.

Re:iPhone implied feature

[Anonymous Coward]

If you want to share your music with the cute girl in the coffee shop it would be easy as pie...

YOU think it is the cute girl in the coffee shop but is is actualy the fat gay guy, with pink tutu, next to you!
 

Re:Like this matters

[ArsenneLupin]

Squirting a satellite sounds like a superhuman feat.

Just point your third antenna to 19.2, gently rub your HPA, excite your Klystron, and squirt away!

Re:))((

[Anonymous Coward]

you and me and everyone we know... will not get this joke.

Re:New Ads

[Mister Transistor]

How about a public service announcement:

Warning - Only 50% of your beats may result in squirting?

Squirtus interruptus

[Anonymous Coward]

Oh, my!

Re:How do you want to be abused today?

[v1]

I find it interesting just how far behind microsoft is lagging. Just about the time the Zune was catching up with the ipod in features and usefulness (and it never really made it), out comes the iPhone. It's like a leisurely drive down the autobahn in a corvette, and you look in your back mirror and see a pinto closing in on you. Small chuckle. Romp on gas. Watch pinto rapidly disappear into nothing.

Such an absurd presumption from Microsoft. It's not even serious enough to be considered a joke.

Not such a big deal..

[Morky]

...since the 23 Zune owners worldwide are probably having a hard time finding eachother anyway.

Re:All Access Squirt Passes

[SageMusings]

The problem is the class action law suit would only benefit the 12 people who actually purchased a Zune.