Microsoft Corp. is releasing newcopyright protection software that will allow rented songs or movies to be used on portable players, cellular phones and other devices without being pirated.

CNet, a world leading technology website, reported on Monday that Microsoft has released details of a long-delayed update to its content protection technology, offering new features aimed at bringing piracy-proof digital content to mobile devices and home networks.

Originally expected as long as a year ago, the next version of its Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) software -- internally code-named Janus has been seen as a potential way tolet subscription music services such as Napster and Real Networks' Rhapsody move to portable MP3 players, CNet said.

Those online music services, allowing subscribers to listen to unlimited amounts of music in return for a single monthly fee, aretypically tied to PCs today.

Microsoft's new digit rights protection software will give songs and movies purchased through subscription services a sort of digital expiration date that works even when the data are transferred from a computer. It also protects the content against piracy.

"This release of technology really enables all kinds of new scenarios that are emerging now," said Jason Reindorp, a group manager in Microsoft's Windows digital media unit. "We're taking quite a holistic view."

The software giant said that its new software has won support from content companies including America Online, The Disney and OD2 and service providers including CinemaNow, Movielink, Music Nowand Napster.

Microsoft said consumer electronic device manufacturers Archos,Creative, Dell, Digital 5, Rio and Samsung as well as chip makers including Motorola and Sigma Designs have also voiced their support.

Source: Xinhua