Microsoft: MSN Music tracks will work through 2011 "at least"

Looks like Microsoft had a well-advised change of heart about supporting DRM-encoded tracks from the now-defunct MSN Music store.

An e-mail from Redmond just popped up in my inbox, and it reads in part: "After carefully consideration, Microsoft has decided to continue to support the authorization of new computers and devices and delivery of new license keys from MSN Music customers through at least the end of 2011."

The news comes three months after Microsoft warned MSN Music customers (myself included) that it would no longer authorize DRM-protected MSN Music tracks for new computers or devices after August 2008—meaning that any MSN Music tunes you had would essentially be stuck on your old PC or MP3 player, forever, once the deadline passed. (Microsoft closed the MSN Music store in November 2006 to make way for the Zune Marketplace.)

The most recent Microsoft e-mail notes that once the new end-of-2011 deadline passes, "we will evaluate how much this functionality is still being used and what steps should be taken next to support our customers."

Here's a little unsolicited advice for that 2011-era decision: Replace any outstanding MSN Music tracks with DRM-free versions. Better yet, why not do it now? Then there'd be no need to keep supporting a copy-protection scheme that will likely be archaic by 2011.

In any case, kudos to Microsoft for thinking about the customer and changing its collective mind.