Such rumors have been floating around since before Vista was released, but a week or two ago a large influx was seen. Vista does include many 'enhancements' when it comes to preventing piracy, but the particular claim you saw is fairly inaccurate:
* Vista does NOT prevent you from playing legally downloaded content. There may be cases where a license is corrupted or otherwise unverifiable, but the same is true for previous versions of Windows, MP3 player firmware, etc. It does not, in any way, prevent the playing of unprotected content or validated protected content.
* If you read up on the "broadcast flag" issue, you'll find that the FCC and various politicians have been pushing to implement a new technology where television providers could "flag" specific content, preventing the viewer from recording or sharing the video. It nearly became a law a couple years ago, so many DVD recorders, DVRs, and software-based TV tuning software implemented such abilities. This does include Windows, but was introduced in XP Media Center edition, so it's not new to Vista. The thing to note is that at this time the law has blocked, so the blocking has not begun. If it does at some point receive approval, all recording would be affected, not just Vista, and it would be controlled by the individual content providers, not Microsoft.
* Copy-protected DVDs cannot be copied. (Note: All other DVDs can be copied without a problem.) That, however, is nothing new either for it has been the law for nearly 7 years and a mandated restriction on all DVD copying software. In fact, if Windows were designed to circumvent copy protection it could be ruled illegal! And again, this is controlled by movie studios; Microsoft has no say in it.
In short, Vista implements the restrictions that are required by law. It does not impose any new restrictions created by Microsoft, and does not pose any more 'problems' than XP does. Thus, such rumors are, while based on factual information, incorrect and a misrepresentation of the truth.
John
I received the following in an email. Is it true?
: Windows Vista
I translated this article which appeared in a French newspaper in Montreal.
The perversity of Windows Vista
Windows Vista, the latest operational system from Microsoft is stuffed with ANTI-COPYING and BLOCKING systems of contents following pressure applied by certain societies such as MPAA, RAA, SGAE and others, under the pretext of combating PIRACY. These systems are integrated in the basic programmation which makes them very difficult to remove or ignore.
The result means that if you install Windows Vista or if you purchase a computer that has Windows Vista already installed, you will no longer be able to watch, record videos, listen or record music downloaded from Internet even if legally obtained.
The more serious thing is that in many cases, you wont be able to do it even if you bought the material (CD or whatever) because, the copyright system included in Windows Vista does not allow you to record a song or a DVD (bought legally) on your MP3, nor will you be able to create a CD of your favorite songs to be played in your car. Also, you wont be able to copy a movie (bought legally) on your computer or any other media other than a specific copy authorized by Microsoft and the makers of the cd content. If you attempt to do so, the result will be of terrible quality, otherwise, impossible!
The only sure solution to counter this abusing concept is to not install Windows Vista and to refuse to buy any PC with Windows Vista already installed. Continue to use your Windows XP or envision using another FREE operational system such as LINUX.
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