Customers to be reimbursed over Yahoo DRM server shutdown

Customers to be reimbursed over Yahoo DRM server shutdown
On Thursday we reported that Yahoo had decided to shut down the DRM servers for their Yahoo Music download service. The problem with the decision is that if users ever need to reformat their PCs or move the music to a portable media device they will lose the ability to the play the music, entirely.

The company plans to soften the blow however, by reimbursing customers, possibly giving back every dollar the user spent on the service.



Carrie Davis, spokeswoman for Yahoo Music, has confirmed today that the servers will indeed be shutdown but that reimbursement was coming.

"You'll be compensated for whatever you paid for the music,"
Davis said. "We haven't said exactly what we will do, but we will take care of our customers."

Because every customer has a different story, the reimbursement plan will be on a case-by-case basis. The company has now posted an FAQ page that includes a "contract customer case" button for any former or current users of the Yahoo Music Store.

It seems users will have two different options of reimbursement, either get all their money back, or receive DRM-free MP3s of each song they purchased that had DRM. Considering you can burn the DRM tracks to a CD and then re-rip them as DRM-free MP3s, the better deal would appear to be doing that and then asking for your money back.

Davis also made sure to note that the reimbursement only pertains to users of the Yahoo Music Store and that any monthly subscribers would have their services transferred to Rhapsody.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Jul 2008 12:51
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  • 4 comments
  • 13thHouR

    Good move yahoo, but lets see how many "get out" clauses they fabricate. but its already better than microsofts delay & sony's, two fingers approach to loyal customers when the connect service shut down.




    drm and rental or subscription service are at best a waste of money and at worst a total rip off especially when music you legally purchased just stops working because big media want you to purchase it yet again on another format, while the person that purchased it on a disc or acquired it via p2p are free to do what they wish with it, unless sony has laden it with rootkits of course.


    26.7.2008 13:39 #1

  • gallagher

    I removed all the DRM's from my music when I had a chance. Never bought another.

    26.7.2008 22:06 #2

  • Bozobub

    Hm.
    Quote:Considering you can burn the DRM tracks to a CD and then re-rip them as DRM-free MP3s, the better deal would appear to be doing that and then asking for your money back.
    While I'm quite, er, "liberal" with my views on DRM and copying copyrighted material, does AfterDawn really want to make this statement? I understand where y'alls sentiments may lie, and I actually agree, but this seems to be a direct DMCA violation (and actionable), since it can be construed as encouraging the violation of the Act. =x

    29.7.2008 11:22 #3

  • 13thHouR

    Originally posted by Bozobub: Hm.
    Quote:Considering you can burn the DRM tracks to a CD and then re-rip them as DRM-free MP3s, the better deal would appear to be doing that and then asking for your money back.
    While I'm quite, er, "liberal" with my views on DRM and copying copyrighted material, does AfterDawn really want to make this statement? I understand where y'alls sentiments may lie, and I actually agree, but this seems to be a direct DMCA violation (and actionable), since it can be construed as encouraging the violation of the Act. =x
    You are quite correct, bypassing this DRM in the USA is an offence because of the DMCA, it is also illegal in many other parts of the globe so yahoo advising ppl (read the statement by yahoo) is telling ppl to break the law.


    29.7.2008 12:31 #4

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