Microsoft patents paid Zune file-sharing… just like we hoped!
Hurrah. Just weeks after writing a ranty column about how Microsoft should encourage Zune owners to share music by paying them a commission if their friends go on to purchase tunes, the company has made a patent application to do just that.
The patent describes it as “off-line economies for digital media”, and there’s no mention of my other idea (setting up playlists of your 20 favourite tunes for sharing), but still, it could certainly give Zune sales a good kick up the behind.
Obviously, a patent application doesn’t necessarily translate to firm plans to launch such a feature, but keep your fingers crossed. Microsoft may face competition though – Apple has filed its own patent for sharing music between devices too…
Zune sharing patent (via Engadget)
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