Microsoft Corp. today unveiled the features of the next version of its Windows Media® Digital Rights Management (DRM) software, and announced early adopters of the platform, including leading online music and movie services, entertainment companies, consumer electronics manufacturers and chip makers. Microsoft's next generation of Windows Media DRM technology will make new scenarios possible, such as protecting, delivering and playing subscription-based or on-demand digital music and video. These scenarios span Windows®-based PCs and devices, including portable audio devices, Portable Media Centers, cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as Windows Mobile (TM) -based Pocket PCs and Smartphones, and networked devices connected within the home, including those that connect over a wireless network.

The promise of how this DRM technology enables these new scenarios has already attracted support from the following companies:

• Content companies America Online Inc., The Disney Co. and OD2
• Service providers CinemaNow Inc., Movielink LLC, MusicNow LLC, Napster LLC, VirginMega France and Yacast
• Consumer electronic device manufacturers Archos SA, Creative, Dell Inc., Digital 5 Inc., iRiver International, PRISMIQ Inc., PURE Digital, Rio, Samsung Electronics Company Ltd., SimpleDevices Inc. and 2Wire Inc.
• Chip makers BridgeCo AG, Equator Technologies Inc., Imagination Technologies, Micronas, Motorola Inc., Sigma Designs Inc. and SigmaTel Inc.

There is also support for the new DRM by manufacturers of Windows Media Center Extender Technology and Windows Media Connect devices, including Alienware Corp., Creative and Dell. This new version of Windows Media DRM reinforces Microsoft's strong commitment to the digital media marketplace supporting the company's vision of enabling the seamless flow of music and movies for consumers while ensuring that content owners are able to build robust businesses.