Microsoft leaves MSN music customers in lurch

Microsoft informed MSN Music's customers via e-mail Tuesday that it plans to turn off the store's license servers, and that 31 August 2008 will be the last day to move purchased music to another computer. Customers won't lose the music they already downloaded on authorised computers; they simply won't be able to transfer songs to unauthorised computers or different operating systems after the deadline.

The company shut down the service late in 2006 and replaced it with Zune Marketplace.

Rob Bennett, general manager of MSN entertainment and video services, confirmed the move and recommended that customers "back up purchased music to CDs and obtain all licensing for their songs prior to August 31."

Read the full article here.