DRM should be inobtrusive while doing the right thing at the right time. Various outlets including ars technica have reported that PCs running Vista Media Center software have refused to record certain NBC TV programs, providing an opportunity for some mostly deserved DRM-bashing.
Handfuls of Windows Vista Media Center users found themselves blocked from making recordings of their favorite TV shows this week when a broadcast flag triggered the software's built-in copy protection measures. The flag affected users trying to record prime-time NBC shows on Monday evening, using both over-the-air broadcasts and cable. Although the problem is being "looked into" by both NBC and Microsoft, the incident serves as another reminder that DRM gives content providers full control, even if by accident.
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