Microsoft Acknowledges NBC's Wish is Its Command

theodp writes "Responding to questions about why some users of Windows Vista Media Center were prevented from recording the NBC Universal TV shows 'American Gladiator' and 'Medium,' Microsoft has acknowledged that Windows Media Centers will block users from recording TV shows at the request of a broadcaster. 'Microsoft included technologies in Windows based on rules set forth by the (Federal Communications Commission),' wrote a Microsoft spokeswoman, apparently referring to an FCC proposal that the courts struck down in 2005. 'Microsoft has put the requirements of broadcasters above what consumers want,' said the EFF's Danny O'Brien. 'They've imposed restrictions way beyond what the law requires. Customers need to know who Microsoft is listening to and how that affects their equipment. Right now, the only way customers know what Microsoft has agreed to is when the technology they've bought suddenly stops working. Microsoft needs to come clean and tell its customers what deals it has made.'"

Power To the Corporates!

[Oblong_Cheese]

I'm all about multinational billion dollar corporates deciding for me about what I can and can't record legally. It's hell sweet! Before you know it, we'll have pay-per-view on every single broadcast!

Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag

[ArcherB]

Last I checked... Tivo supports the broadcast flag as well, yet those of us (I have 2) with Tivo's had no issues... So I guess the question is, why is Tivo ignoring the broadcast flag (not that I am complaining mind you, I hate the broadcast flag), but I am curious..

I don't know if my Time-Warner provided box blocked it or not. Still, I'm surprised this got noticed at all; Does anyone watch these shows?

I wonder why...

[Kamokazi]

...you tried to record American Gladiators.

Re:Power To the Corporates!

[cliffiecee]

pay-per-view on every single broadcast

I sure hope they leave the commercials in!

Re:Damned either way

[IBBoard]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't when it comes to our friend DRM.

Would that be Damned Restrictions Management?

NBC programming blocked = net win for the consumer

[Sun.Jedi]

I just glanced over the channel lineup for my area (I honestly didn't know what NBC was offering), and I'm in favor crappy TV networks self regulating themselves further out of my view.

It isn't much a surprise, given the lack of NBC on the chart [usatoday.com].
/half-joking, half-not

Re:With Tivo TV is no longer real-time.

[somersault]

If I can't record it, I am not watching it.

I tried using that argument at the cinema, but they threw me out :(

Indeed...

[interactive_civilian]

VCR recorder, is that like an ATM machine? ;)

Indeed, it is. However, unlike an ATM machine, you don't need a PIN number for a VCR recorder.

Vista looking more attractive every day

[elrous0]

Wow, I really wanted to buy Vista before, what with all the glitches and problems. Now I REALLY want it.

Re:I wonder why...

[morgan_greywolf]

It wasn't for him.

or alternatively:

He's using advanced video editing techniques to create an "American Gladiators Gone Wild" video.

The technology is not ALL bad...

[hyperz69]

It does prevent people from watching American Gladiators ;P

Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag

[Yvan256]

I expect a company the size of Microsoft is forward-thinking enough to realize that pissing off people who paid once isn't a great way to get them to pay again

You must be new here.

Re:I wonder why...

[nick_davison]

Two /. news stories:

Google helps the Indian government make a man eat from the same bowl he craps in.

Microsoft saves users from recording American Gladiators.

As part of their competition with Google strategy, I think Microsoft just stole the right to the "Do no evil" slogan.

Re:Being a Grammar Nazi today, I guess

[quonsar]

Careful, you may damage his self of steam.

Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag

[mweather]

If you're time is so valuable, why do you watch so much TV?

Re:I wonder why Tivo ignored the flag

[7Prime]

Wait, one can be a car fanatic and still drive a 2003 Ford Focus, it's called BEING POOR. In his case, it's not money he lacks, but time. The interest is still there, the will to tinker is still there, but the time to actually do it is another thing.

The only thing that makes me question whether he still qualifies as a nerd is the fact that he has a kid... which means that he has had sex...with a woman... which is the biggest red flag in my mind :P