Microsoft to Invest in DRM Technologies

Microsoft Corp. said today it will make significant investments in its digital rights management (DRM) technologies for the wireless industry.

Were responding to our wireless partners around the world who are asking for a solution to enable new scenarios in the industry, said Kevin Johnson, co-president of the platforms and services division at Microsoft. We want to give consumers what they want seamless experiences with premium content on a wide range of mobile devices.

The more than 800 million mobile handsets sold worldwide each year represent a largely untapped market for digital entertainment, Microsoft said. The software giant offers its Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management platform, which the company said is in use by more than 100 content services and on hundreds of devices. The platform helps deliver content for playback on computers, mobile devices and portable devices. It supports applications including download and play, subscription, and VoD, and enables device manufacturers to directly acquire licenses on their handsets.

Microsoft Corp. www.microsoft.com