Yahoo Shuts Down DRM Servers Today, Reimburses Customers
9/30/2008 By Shane Sinnott

Today (September 30) Yahoo is shutting down the DRM servers used in the Yahoo Music store. In a stand up move, the company is offering coupons or refunds to customers who find their songs unplayable after the shutdown. The action was praised by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which was lobbying the company to delay the DRM shutdown.

In a statement, the EFF says: "Yahoo's decision sets a good precedent for when this problem inevitably arises again, vendors that sold DRM-crippled music must either continue supporting tech neither they or their customers like - as MSN Music chose to do - or take Yahoo's path and fairly compensate consumers with refunds."

It’s sad that this even needs to be argued for, but at least the precedent seems to be set that companies owe you a song if they willfully render your purchased one unplayable.
More News: << Previous Story | Next Story >>
Do you have a news tip for us? Did anything crazy happen at a show? Got any inside info on a band? Click here to let us know!
• Twilighters Rejoice: New Moon Hits the Big Screen and Exclaim! Has the Review, Along with Write-Ups on Fantastic Mr. Fox, Bad Lieutenant and More
• Billy Bragg Appears Before Canadian Parliament to Discuss Copyright Laws and Defend Downloaders, Performs Free Picket-Line Concert in Quebec
• Members of Supergrass Team Up with Nigel Godrich for Hot Rats, Cover Velvet Underground, Beastie Boys and Sex Pistols on Debut Album
• Sunset Rubdown/Wolf Parade’s Spencer Krug Readies Debut As Moonface
• John K. Samson Announces Ontario Tour
• Winnipeg’s KEN Mode Get in Spat with MySpace and Warner Music Group Over Mistaken Copyright Infringement
• The XX Announce Free Vancouver In-Store at Zulu Records
• Stoner Metal Legends Sleep Confirm Reunion Tour for 2010
• Grand Hustle Discovers Molotov Cocktails in Office Parking Lot, Points to “Idiot” Suspect
• Beta Band’s Steve Mason Teams Up with Richard X for Solo Album
New and Forthcoming Release Dates In Canada - All information is tentative and subject to sudden change
Check out the hottest new releases in Canada this week, including: 50 Cent Before I Self-Destruct, Boris Japanese Heavy Rock Hits #2 7", Kid Sister Ultraviolet, Norah Jones The Fall, Stereophonics Keep Calm and Carry On... Read More
Do Make Say Think - Other Truths
Though they've never been predictable, twisting and turning down a veering path of whatever post-rock is supposed to be, Do Make Say Think strike a reflective tone on the wondrous Other Truths. By their own reckoning, Do Make's previous acclaimed record, You, You're a History in Rust, ... Full Review
King Khan
Montreal ex-pat King Khan has led a classically "rock'n'roll" lifestyle since leaving his home at 17, legally changing his name from Erich Khan to Blacksnake, and eventually relocating to Berlin. Since then, he's become renowned worldwide for his various garage, punk and soul projects, including the big-band soul project King Khan and the Shrines and his collaborative duo with Mark Sultan, the King Khan and BBQ Show.... Read More
Social Networking
• Be our friend on MySpace
• Be our fan on Facebook
• Tweet us on twitter
Viewing the October 2007 Issue: • Contents Page • News • Click Hear • Articles --> On the Cover  •  Front Five  •  Points  •  Comics  •  Questionnaire  •  Release Dates  •  Research  •  Timeline  •  Videogames  •  Web Exclusives • Music Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Aggressive Tendencies  •  Beats & Rhymes  •  Destination Out  •  Frequencies  •  Groove  •  No Future  •  Pop Rocks  •  Wood, Wires & Whiskey  •  Concert Reviews • Motion Reviews --> Recently Reviewed  •  Dvd Reviews  •  Film Reviews  •  Music DVD Reviews  •  TIFF  •  Videogame Reviews • Music School --> Label Life  •  Meet & Greet  •  Need to Know  •  What I Play • Contests • Contact --> About Us  • Advertising  • Distribution  • Getting Reviewed  • Getting Published  • Letters To The Editor  • Partnerships  • Subscriptions • Exclaim! Radio --> Aggressive Tendencies Radio  • Beats & Rhymes Radio  • Frequencies Radio  • Destination Out Radio  • Groove Radio  • No Future Radio  • Pop Rocks Radio  • Wood, Wires & Whiskey Radio • Exclaim! TV • Home & Latest Issue • Browse Issues