Microsoft is set to release copy-protection software that could radically effect the burgeoning online music business. Called "Janus," the technology will add a clock function to portable music players that handle files encoded in Microsoft"s Windows Media Audio (WMA) format.
Because downloaded tracks could be programmed to expire, users of legal music services like Napster would be able to "rent" unfettered subscription-based access to large music libraries rather than selling it on a per-song basis. Most importantly, Janus would enable services like Napster to compete more effectively against market leader iTunes by allowing users to put files on portable players. Currently, Napster does not allow this but, iTunes does, using its proprietary ACC file format.