By Andy McCue, 4 October 2004 10:10
NEWS Speaking to an exclusive gathering of press in London on a number of issues, such as security, Steve Ballmer didn't pass up the opportunity to take several digs at his company's arch rival Apple.
At the heart of the debate is Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology which will let content providers such as record labels and movie studios keep control of their intellectual property (IP) - or at least ensure all royalties are paid and copyright observed.
Billing Microsoft as the good guys and Apple the villains of the piece - at least as far as corporate America, rather than users, is concerned, Ballmer said: "WeÂ’ve had DRM in Windows for years. The most common format of music on an iPod is 'stolen'."
"Part of the reason people steal music is money, but some of it is that the DRM stuff out there has not been that easy to use. We are going to continue to improve our DRM, to make it harder to crack, and easier, easier, easier, easier, to use," he said.
However, Ballmer conceded it isn't going to be an easy battle to win. "Most people still steal music," he said. "We can build the technology but there are still ways for people to steal music."
The Microsoft boss also claimed some domestic familiarity with the issue.
"My 12-year-old at home doesnÂ’t want to hear that he canÂ’t put all the music that he wants in all of the places that he would like it," he joked.
ZDNet UK's Michael Parsons contributed to this story
Comments
There are 178 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
@Ballmer: buy your "12-year-old" a mac + ipod ;-)
-> windows sucks
2. Paulo Jorge Góis
I feel offended by this person who tried to steal the honor of all the iPod users. It amazes me how this kind of declaration goes unpunished in this country.
Thank you.
3. anonymous
"We’ve had DRM in Windows for years" and have consistently refused to make it available in the Mac version of WMP.
Apple now have a DRM system that, from it's conception, offers full support to Windows as well as OSX.
"The most common format of music on an iPod is" MP3, which is just as likely to be 'stolen' as a WMA file.
I fail to understand this guy's logic.
4. anonymous
Too funny. Are they that afraid of Apple's supremacy in LEGAL digital music ? I own an iPod, two-third of which is filled with songs I ripped from my CD collection, the other third having been bought from the iTMS. What's illegal with this ? Especially compared with my PC-owners friends, whose hard drives are litterally filled with stolen music and movies...
5. Suck It Ballmer
Music piracy was propogated in large part by "Crapster" in the late 90's, and general thievery and piracy themselves have had no bigger flag wielder than monopolysoft. News Flash Ballmer: Music piracy was around long before the DISTANT first place holding digital music duo of iPod & iTunes. If it's still an issue, it certainly isn't Apple's fault who has successfully worked to help the music industry and it's artist's regain some profit instead of having everything stolen. BTW, how's that m$ music store that supports that crappy wma format working out for you BTW? Closing in on iTunes & the iPod? I thought not.
6. anonymous
Well, Microsoft are thieves and have been for a few decades, so I guess it'OK :D Having music in mp3 format makes me a thief? I have a car, does it make me a road killer? If I had a gun, woudl I be a murderer?
7. anonymous
...and the OS that runs most of the world's file sharing software is? What verbal spam this guy comes out with.
8. Gabe DeCastello
I'm an iPod user. Just got one last week. So far, all of my music in it comes from my CD collection.
I really felt offended by his remarks. I was going to buy a MS wireless Keyboard and mouse this weekend. Now, I won't because of his comments. People like him hurt his company with such comments. If I had MS stock, I would ask for his removal. If not removed, I would sell it. This is a guy who can really get MS in trouble.
Well done Ballmer!
Oh....and I will switch to a Mac too. It works better with the iPod than with "Windows XP."
9. anonymous
Such a shame when Ballmer has to resort to such slanderous stabs at Apple... "Stolen music" indeed. Yes, all those iPod owners with their fair use encodes of the actual CDs that they own, and their purchases of music from iTMS. Where exactly are his figures showing that most of the music on iPods is stolen anyway? What a complete 'merchant'.
Still it's to be expected from Microsoft. Nothing like a bit of FUD on a Monday morning.
10. Don
Ballmer, you don't get it. And if the music industry is listening to you, then they don't get it either.
Consumers don't want DRM. Witness the recent repeal of those stupid silly "copy protected" CDs that Sony and others were making... customers didn't want that crap, and Sony finally figured that out.
Apple does get it, so you just need to zip your lip mister. Apple has DRM in place for the iTMS - I suspect to appease the skittish music industry who still don't quite get it... People will pay for music as long as you don't try and screw them... if you try and gouge the consumer, they will fight back.
Oh, and BTW, the iPod plays multiple formats JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER PLAYER ON THE MARKET... plus also supporting DRM, so just shut up. You're just sore because once again Apple has defined the standard and it's better than anything your company has ever come up with.
Why don't you go piss in someone else's cherios and stop trying to steal Apple's good work and success which they clearly deserve. Apple has almost single-handedly saved the declining music industry, and now you want to cause trouble for them as usual. Knock it off... or actually, keep it up, cause all you're doing is creating more anti-MS sentiment.
11. anonymous
So I'am a thief, mr Ballmer?
Do you know what you are talking about? Of course you do. You want to score a few cheap points and make a few headlines. Lies and insults is of little matter.
But I, like many others, have bought the music I carry on my iPod. It's not DRM-protected, it doesn't have to be. It comes from the cd's I own. When iTMS opens in my country, no doubt a few files will come from there too. But it will never, I promise you, come from Microsoft, the ?-rip-offer of the industry. Remember the recent olympics, where your company's great DRM technology blocked millions of people from watching legal, streaming web content from the games?
Go howl like a monkey!
12. Egbert Burns
"The most common format of music on an iPod is ‘stolen"
All music I own is legally purchased or downloaded from sites where it is free.
Mr. Ballmer is a criminal himself. And should be prosecuted for selling inferiour software that's a threat to society.
13. jon hill
Oh good grief! Grow up. Just because MS were beaten to the punch (again) by someone more inovative, they want to take their ball home.
I wonder if anyone ever used WMP to play 'stolen' tracks? (like those ripped from a CD)? I wonder if a windows powered CDRW was ever used to copy an audio cd? I wonder what operating system the majority of Napster/Kazaa users run? Built in security? My big, fat, dimpled, hairy rectum!
By the way, I did read that Microsoft criticised someone elses security, right? Ahhh, now I see, this is all a joke. Yes, now I get it. Mr Ballmer is joking (as i often suspect Redmond do...surely?)
Still, tarring all ipod users with the same brush...clever! No bridges burned there, eh?
Moron!
14. Matt Dolan
The most common format of music on a Windows PC is ‘stolen'.
15. anonymous
Does Ballmer REALLY think that anyone will pay Microsoft a subscription fee to listen to music? Has he heard of playing your own? The radio? Taping/ripping from a library CD of your own private, not-to-be-shared use, which IS legal?
16. Marc Slifkin
That's a load of crap. Every song on my iPod was either ripped from my own CDs or downloaded from the iTunes Music Store. Is Mr. Ballmer aware of the fact that every iPod sold has a label on it saying "Don't steal music", so while it's completely up to the individual to comply, it's not that Apple is advocating music piracy. Why is it only iPod users are stealing music? I wish someone would have asked him that ...
17. KL
I think he's saying future music players with embedded Microsoft software will ONLY be able to play DRM files, i.e. no MP3. Bet on it.
18. Tux Penguin
Is this the new microsoft method of competing with the opposition!??! They can't compete with Linux so they start the "Get the FUD" campaign. They are about to bring out their own media player and now all ipod users are thieves.
Is this the sign that eveyone is loosing interest in Microsoft ! I hope so !!
19. anonymous
This guy needs some sensitivity training. From the famous Monkey Dance he did to his outrageous comments that seem to eminate from his fatass bald body almost weekly. He has got to either be: (a) Gates Hitman (sort of the Terese Heinz Kerry of MS (b) A complete idiot (c) a total embarassment to MS
20. anonymous
Sure, Microsoft is the good guy and anyone using Microsoft products is automatically on the right side of the law. Ballmer, your killing me.
Hasn't Microsoft heard of the Fairplay DRM that Apple uses on the iTunes Music Store and the iPod? It is extremely easy to use for the consumer (i.e., it's basically transparent to the user) and provides sufficient copy protection to put the music industry at ease. The music industry did agree to the DRM policies that are built into Fairplay.
So if everyone using an iPod is a thief, how would a user of a Microsoft-based player be any different? Both have DRM plus the ability to play MP3s, so I'm failing to understand his point. The music on my iPod is basically made up of MP3s ripped from CDs I own and Fairplay-enabled AAC files I purchased from iTunes -- accroding to the law, this is all legit. So I guess Ballmer believes I'm a thief simply because I'm not using a Microsoft product...?
21. anonymous
If it is so wrong,then why would apple have so many ipod fans, and millions of songs legally bought from their store?
22. anonymous
I'm an iPod user and I've never stolen a single music track in my life. Calling me and all law-abiding iPod users "thieves" is therefore slander. I wonder if it's possible to institute a class-action criminal action against Mr. Ballmer for this slander?
23. Jerome
Maybe he should listen to his son...
24. anonymous
If you can't beat them...try defamation.
My iPod contains either songs from CDs I own or purchased from iTMS. It is statements like his that make people despise Microsoft. I guess when you have nothing that can compete the only option left is to attempt to discredit the other guy. It is strange how, in the case of Linux which currently not leading the market "competition is good" but as soon as a competitor not only leads but practially defines a market that Microsoft in interested in it is not as good. For a company that defends itself against monopolistic claims it appears very intollerent to other companies succeeding in markets that they are interested in.
25. popeye cahn
It's the pot calling the kettle black, monkey dancer...
26. honeybee
Just because your a thief and raised a thief does not mean we are all thieves. I worked and purchased my CD's and iTMS songs to transfer to my iPod, which I also purchased. Your mind is full of evil thoughts because your evil. When you plant seeds of evil, you will reap a harvest of destruction. Look in your own home, your child is a thief, so you think we all are.
27. lance
i'm glad this jackass is running his mouth again. maybe now people will see who they're making rich with their decision to use Windows and choose to hit this guy where it matters most, marketshare.
28. Daniel Parent
F.U.D. at its finest. Poor Ballmer is sounding paranoid and panicky (and jealous!), and with good reason.
I have 20 GB of purchased music on my 20 GB iPod. Not everyone is like Ballmer's apparently thieving kid.
29. anonymous
Did he just call everyone who has an ipod a child by referencing his son? I didn't think a father would go as far as that.
30. anonymous
I have 3 iPods and not one song is stolen - this man is insane they will say anything to control people and to win - I would hate to be these guys when St. Peter looks at his big book and sees what they did to rule the desktop.
31. anonymous
OMG - this is too funny and too sad. You heard it here first, Microsoft, the moral company.
Right Stevie - I am a thief because I reject the music industry's attempts to change my traditional rights? Don't think so. My music is all bought and paid for and DRM free.
32. anonymous
this statement makes me want to sue mr. ballmer for libel and slander. of course i'll never have the money to put into lawyers that microsoft has... so all i can really do is tell mr ballmer that his statement is a piece of excrement.
33. anonymous
For Ballmer, the iPod is an easy target. But why go after its users? And what makes the iPod any different from any other uberportable in terms of the average amount of "stolen" music on it? Simple. Taking a cue from our US politicians, Ballmer's going after an arch rival. Trying to use his clout to take them down with half- or even quarter-truths. Typical.
34. Andy R
Microsoft are the ones who stole the Mac interface. Balmer is just envious that the much smaller and more dynamic Apple still manages to innovate circles around the Mico-sloth.
35. Jason Lee
All 3000 songs on my iPod are legal and I buy from iTunes all the time. Ballmer is an idiot if he thinks this is true.
36. anonymous
micro$oft and logic are mutually exclusive words.
37. Tim Liszt
Ballmer's full of sh*t!
The music on my iPod (all 3,876 items) are either books on tape, music purchased from Apple's great music store, or from my existing collection of CDs. I have spent more money on legal music since owning my iPod.
38. Evan Franklin
"Windows users are OS thieves," says me.
With the "DRM...for years" which OS provides the technology to allow for the bulk of the file sharing, both servers and clients? Where did the license for your home machine come from? That POS WinME that came with it, or the WinXP the kid next door loaded on it? Where did the underlying frameworks in Windows come from, in house or uncited GPL'd work? Ballmer just doesn't understand his customers or even his own kid.
39. ipods rock
Yawn... why would anyone even dignify a response to this blow hole?
40. anonymous
My iTunes collection contains a few borrow tunes. I'm not going to plunk my money down for dogs anymore. I test-drive songs before I pay for them.
For the record, my collection is completely legal, anyway. It is legal in Canada to download copyrighted music (though not to share) and to make duplications of friends' CDs (they just can't make them for you.) The rest are rips of CDs I own.
So, Ballmer, not only are you wrong, but by attempting to restrict my rights to reasonable access to copyrighted material, you may be breaking the law around here.
DRM sucks, and I will personally break or ignore just out of spite and principle.
41. anonymous
say, that's an idea! all iPod users should band together and sue ballmer and m$ for say, several billion dollars, for slander us as thieves!
42. anonymous
What Mr. Ballmer does not realise is that there is no market demand for DRM. The record companies like it, because it gives them control.
But the market (i.e. the buying public) hate it. It restricts their options. It prevents them doing what they want to do with their music.
Hell, even Ballmer's 12 year old son apparently understands this.
If there's a choice between product offering unencumbered file management, and one that locks everything down with Digital Restriction Management, then the market will choose the free version every time.
However, Microsoft may be in a position to enforce some of this - after all, they are a convicted monopolist which gives them a certain amount of leverage.
43. anonymous
DRM?
The meaning of this is lost on me.
If I find I cant backup any of my CDs I download it for free.
As long as they make it so I cant copy my own CDs, I will actively pursue places I can download a copy from.
Adjust your prices if you want extra sales, not this BS.
44. Paul Eubanks
Oh that's rich! I'm not an apple user, nor a user of ANY M$ products at home. I simply can't see how Steve Ballmer is going to claim some moral high-ground on this issue, given how M$, you know, STOLE the original Xerox OS and called it Windows!!!
Oh yeah, DRM is a joke.
45. anonymous
The wonderful words from an Aprils Fool joke from www.macgamer.com springs to mind: "Windows is the suckiest suck that ever sucked a suck"
46. anonymous
So the CDs I ripped to my iPod are stolen?
Wow... and I thought *I* was being taken by the music industry. I feel better already!
47. anonymous
So, Ballmer, you don't like anyone else 'stealing' music for their iPod, but your son can do it?
Maybe it's only your son that's the real culprit here. Go on, turn him in.
48. anonymous
Piracy and ubiquitous hardware are the only reasons MS ever achieved desktop hegemony. But now that they have that, they need a new revenue stream to satisfy their vampiric needs.
F*ck you Ballmer, you're a sore loser depending on spin and inertia to keep your sorry *ss, POS company going, just like you always have.
49. anonymous
The trick is the MP3 format.
It works, it is popular, and free to convert to/from, and plays on 90% of devices.
Until any of the above change, the MP3 will rule.
And I for one, am glad. I love my MP3's... and wouldn't buy/use anthing that didn't support the MP3 technology.
50. linnaeus coribble
Balmer Fud misses the rabbit again
51. Stu
"The most common format of music on an iPod is 'stolen'."
Last I heard, the most common format of OS on a Windows PC is 'stolen'!
If MS can't even sort the DRM out on their own 'valuable IP', I fail to see how they'll manage it with that of the Music and Movie industry.
52. anonymous
Gee, nothing like being insulted by Ballmer...
That statement from Microsoft's CEO may cost a million dollar in bad publicity.
It is one of many indications that Microsoft has become extremely arrogant.
53. anonymous
Takes a thief to know one...I guess. He has one in his own house so he thinks everyone is a thief. Microsoft itself is the King of Copy so I guess Ballmer knows what he's talking about.
54. Frank Z
Idiot. Most of the file-sharing programs run on Windows which by extension means that most music sitting on a Windows hard-drive is 'stolen'. Apple has the most successful for pay music system out there and he's going to claim most iPod music is stolen? That he has the balls to say this with a straight face is astounding!
55. Adam Dachis
All my music is COMPLETELY LEGAL aside from two foreign songs I couldn't find the CDs for (or download from a music service). What a ridiculous criticism. I'm not a completely loyal mac user. I have a DELL flat screen and I was thinking about getting a PC desktop machine for music production, but if this is how Microsoft views its potential customers they can go screw themselves. If they want to stereotype me because of what I own, then I'd rather spend twice as much money to buy a Mac desktop rather than give them a cent.
56. anonymous
Steve: your TWELVE YEAR OLD GETS IT. Perhaps you better just stick to the monkey dancing, you fool.
57. anonymous
I really don't think this is a Mac vs. PC argument. I think it's a slap in the face to anybody who uses any digital music that they obtain legally on any platform.
58. Scott Corkern
Coming from the Thieves at Microsoft that sounds funny
59. Cody
If you don't like stealing then start paying Apple for their ideas.
60. Jeffrey Blais
Like Microsoft has any say into the issues of theft, ethics, morality and so fourth.
Grow up Microsoft...
61. Giles Williams
Hey Ballmer, insult me some more, I still won't buy your products.
62. anonymous
Just another Ballmer mind fart, which are of course Mr. Bills favorite food.
63. anonymous
it's all true!! *no one* had *any* stolen music on their PC's before iPod came along.
64. Matt L.
That's a terible thing to say. While I'm sure there are "music thieves" using every brand of portable music player, as an iPod owner and one who only has legally-purcahsed music on it, I take offense at Mr. Ballmer's comments and find them childish, a poorly thought-out dig at the iPod's success.
65. anonymous
I'm surprised that Ballmer would focus on a single-sourced proprietary stolen-music player, when the Windows market offers dozens of inexpensively priced Windows-compatible MP3 players that are also compatible with all of his kid's stolen songs. iPod is not the only choice !
66. anonymous
I bought ALL my music - thanks. Considering its Microsoft - they should be charged with stealing people's hard earned money with the utter crap they put out and then they tell us that Apple can't win in the Digital lifestyle arena - yeah right!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm a PC user and I HATE MICROSOFT!!!!!!!!!!!
67. anonymous
Class action slander suit?
68. Ian
Mr. Ballmer's remarks were quite remarkable. Not only did he shoot himself in the foot but it was in his mouth at the time!
Keep up the good work Mr. Ballmer, your remarks will probably singlehandedly result in Apple selling a lot more iPods and picking up a few more percentage point in the "legal" download music business!
69. Jeff M. Miller
Sounds like the 12-year old is Ballmer himself: "I want to dominate every thing in the computer world, including music and I'm not winning! I'm taking my ball and going home!!!! Waaaaaaahhhh!"
Crybaby!!!!!
70. Tyler Durden
I happen to have purchased all of my song legally as I am sure most of the iPod uses have.
71. Trying to do the right thing
Does Steve own an MP3 player? or does he still carry around a butt-load of CDs to listen to? MP3 player is the best thing to come along for a dedicated music listener. I rip my own CD's and encode them the way I want. (EAC and LAME) I have a CD for nearly every MP3 I have, and the rest are free downloads. Being able to listen to an MP3 prior to purchase is a good thing, but I will buy the CD or go to a CD resale shop to find it. Just trying to add more noise to the signal so they can make a few more billion. Time to move on citizens, nothing to see here.
72. Franco the Kid
OK, so ripping my CD-collection to my iPod is stealing? What a pillock!
Speaking of stealing, when did MS ever invent something of their own...
73. anonymous
Record companies steal musi, which is innately free and then they try to charge for it.
"Piracy" is not bad for music, just for the pockets of the music industrialists who can't play a note and have been livingn off the backs of musicians for years.
The internet and digital formats are freeing music and allowing musicians to distribute their work without needing the established music industry.
This is what the industry fears and is trying to curtail. Loss of their revinue stream through loss of control.
74. Simon Jester
Ballmer can bite it.
I am not an Ipod user; I scorn my friends who do. However, while they dutifully pay their dues at iTunes, I can proudly say the music I have is 100% pirated. In fact, it is only the iPodders i know that pay for theirs, or 'honor' copyrights. Everyone else couldn't care less.
75. cedreca
Funny! I couldn't stop laughing!
Micro$oft calling Apple users thieves!
The truth is all M$ wants is to present their DRM as the best, and that paying (for all eternity) subscriptions for all your music is the way to go. Micro$soft security is useless, their DRM and other security features have been cracked multiple times.
Sure, you can fill your player with all the music you can fit in it. But what happens with it once you stop making payments to Micro$oft? On the other hand once you fill your player with Micro$oft secured music (ha! secured!), all you have to do is run one of the many cracking tools available on the net and cracked them open. But I'm sure that will never happen in Micro$oft land, because all PC users are saints, and this only happens with Apple users. Right?
76. anonymous
How dare Ballmer assume my iPod is dirty! It's as clean as it can be, every song is either from CD's (ripped) or iTunes. I think MS has dipped to new lows with this comment about iPods being carriers of stolen music.
Since Apple ignited the whole legal download "movement" wouldn't it be more appropriate to say Apple has dramatically helped the illegal music thing? And where was MS back when Napster as running wild? Nowhere, that's where!
They are just jeolous and insecure twits as usual. Apple did a GREAT thing with iPod and iTunes and they just can't admit to it. How pathetic...
77. anonymous
What is really amazing is that Apple has not been under indictment by the Justice Department like Microsoft. Ballmer has everyright to call iPOD owners thieves for downloading music since Microsoft has never done anything illegal or unethical.
78. ballmersaweenie
Somebody's jealous.
79. anonymous
Being one of the wealthiest people on earth, Steve has contributed ZERO% of his monetary accumulation to non-selfish cause based on the 2004 Forbes 400 issue. Imagine to let all the notes rotting in the pots under his backyards.
80. Jeff Lentz
I would love to illegally download an mpeg file of Ballmer's goofy ass on stage at that MS conference a couple years ago.
I'd promise to never download anything illegally again if I could just get my hands on that.
81. anonymous
Good Lord. I've always had a respect for Microsoft, despite being an Apple user...
but now, all I can say is..
"go .... yourself Mr Ballmer." I love my iPod and I don't steal music and this is really worthy of ... Dick Cheney. What a .... hole
82. Tony Cassidy
Ballmers a paranoid idiot - all the music on my pod is legal. I'm grown up, buy my music and can't be bothered to "steal". He should worry more about trying to stop his OS crashing and being hacked.
83. Murdock Scott
In my personal experience, many of my non-ipod using PC-centric friends gladly use P2P networks to "acquire" not only music but software and other types of media files. The iPod users I know pay for music with much more regularity.
I would say a windows base PC is the favored tool of people inclined to steal music and has been for several years.
I am not saying that my view is the absolute truth because it is just one persons perspective but I have never been invited to a DVD and CD "burn and swap" party by a bunch of Apple loving iPod users. I have however been invited to and heard about several such events hosted by the Windows crowd.
If steve is looking for the most common tool used for piracy... he need look no further than windows itself.
84. Kevs
I wonder if some journalist would be willing to turn this into a head-on question - "Mr. Ballmer, could you elaborate on your earlier assertion about all ipod users indulging in illegal activity..."
85. wacka wacka
Steve is absolutely right. Anyone who owns an iPod is a horrible theif. How dare they think of stealing money out of Microsoft's bank account...
Sorry, I can't do it anymore. I felt bad for Steve since he was getting completely ripped by everyone and I figured that someone had to defend him. I just can't do it. M$ is just so pathetic.
86. DBargen
Oh really? So, you've somehow managed to actually keep tabs on everyone's ipod and the logs how and where each file was imported from?
Sorry Mr. Balmer. Your comment has no credibility whatesoever, and this "name calling," as it were, makes you seem like a twelve year old who's been backed into a corner when he has no idea how to counter his business's failures in the eyes of the press. "Continued developement," can't save your ass, so why not just give in that inner-12-year-old and by an ipod and AirPort Express, as I'm sure you've already got a Beamer.
Have fun chasing Mac OS X's tailights with you little "longhorn." Au revoir!
87. Otto
I recall when pundits (and no few regular folks, heh) used to comment on Steve Jobs's Reality Distortion Field. We noticed because once we left it, we realized something was amiss.
Wow, it would seem that Balmer is 'afflicted' with a similar if perhaps multilayered field.
1) the FUD field, which, defying our understanding of relativy, seems to extend to the ends of the observable universe and propogates instataneously. If we could just wire him up to a radio....
2) hmm, what to call this one - Jobs's was a 'distortion' field whereas Balmers seems to be an 'Out-Right Lie' field. The bigger the better. Again, this seems to fall off unusualy gradually, not following the usual inverse square. Sadly, a great many in the media and congress seem unusually susceptible to it's influence. Must have repeaters...
88. Fears Forself
Does Ballmer actually expect anyone to fall for this lame corporate propaganda? DRM is the corruption of copyright.
89. Xenio Y.
Ballmer is just playing with words and having fun with being vague. He's not stupid, he knows that a lot people mostly use mp3's which is jus as bad as apple's "lack" of drm technology. He is being vague for a purpose so know it and dont bother complain about what the superficial message is, read between the lines...
He is just doing his job and having fun because honestly, is apple a real market threat?
90. The dumbass detector
My ipod music is completely legal. It's my copy of Windows XP that I ripped off!!
Thanks Dumbass
91. anonymous
Kind of like Windows users are software thieves, huh Steve! Why don't you switch to OS/2, I hear software piracy is at an all-time low there. Sorry if consumer rights are eating into your profits.
92. throwarock@your.windows
you say iPod users steal music? last I checked, every single song on MY iPod was legal-i borrowed the CDs from my friends, i didnt steal it. On the other hand, all sorts of people are starting to share WMA files on illegal download networks, or so i hear.
93. dave
As long as you can listen to the music, you can record it from the line out jack (or the headphone jack) on the pc to some other form of recorder. DRM is a joke.
94. Rukus
Bill Gates and the Board should look hard at this buffoon on the loose. If I ever embarrassed my company like that (much less the whole industry segment), I'd be fired in 30 seconds.
Maybe Ballmer's kid is the one in the family who understands end users and Steve is the 12 year old. MS should swap them out.
Oh, and any fragment of respect Microsoft had remaining just went out millions of windows (no pun intended).
95. Henrik
Ballmer (and most of the music industry) propably has the most retarded logic I've ever seen. Have they learned nothing about demand in a market? Haven't they learned anything about the inherent paradox in DRM schemes?
Apparently not, I shall end my comment here. Thank you.
96. Anony
Clearly, the customer is still public enemy number one.
Thanks M$, we'll add this to the list of reasons to hate you.
97. James Earl
This...After Microsoft has yet to produce ANYTHING original!
Monopoly -- Stolen patents -- Even MS music was stolen from Apple! Don't forget Windows!
Without Apple PC's would still be...
/C:
98. anonymous
Well, for a CEO of such a large public listed company to say such baseless and unproven words, seems completely arrogant and brash. Well, Ballmer is like that I guess, time and again, proven by his motor-mouth words. Well, I hope he backs up what he said with third-party research, or stop being "sour grapes".
99. John Steckler
Mr Ballmer has just lost all future sales to me for calling me a thief. He should be ashamed of himself.
100. Bernardo
Definition of 'Stolen';
"This modern technology makes it possible
1) to prevent people from making legal copies like they're used to,
2) make people buy multiple copies; and prevent them from playing the same copy on their iPod, their car stereo, their home livingroom stereo, their bedroom stereo, their home computer and their office computer and their laptop computer thus forcing them to pay seperately for each player.
3) Confuse legislators into passing laws that take away the consumers' traditional right to do these things.
4)etc, etc, etc...
Question: Who, exactly, is the criminal in this senario?
101. anonymous
I'm extremely offended by that comment. he just called me a thief! just for the record, none of the music on my ipod is stolen.
since mr. ballmer is apparently fond of sweeping generalisations, here's one just for him: microsoft management is stupid.
102. Zippo
Yes, you've probably seen this before, but it just fits in so well after Ballmer makes a statement like that...
http://www.macboy.com/cartoons/ballmer/
103. anonymous
I don't seem to recall Apple discrediting PC at all. It just goes to show that apple users are smarter and more intelligent than PC users. These stupid jabs at Apple mean nothing. Why doesn't PC try and invent something state of the art...then we'll talk
104. Don't Steal Music
Yeah but there are more 'Microsoft' users with iPods than us Mac users.
We only make up 2% of the entire planet.
And of that small amount, would be an even smaller amount again of actual music pirates. Let the RIAA deal with the music. MS needs to concentrate more on cleaning up virus, spam, popups etc..
105. Douglas Metcalfe
Mr. Ballmer's comments are just setting the stage for a Microsoft funded effort to outlaw P2P file sharing using it's paid for legislators to push through mandatory DRM laws just in time for Longhorn's NGSCB (aka "Palladium") total lock down of user's fair use rights.
106. anonymous
Just another example of why they are called Microshaft. What does the UI for the new Microshaft Media player 10 remind anyone of? As everyone knows Microshaft's policy has always been copy and crush.
107. chanceaquino
Would that statement qualify as 'Libel' and can this argument stand in court? iPod users should file a class suit against this sore loser.
108. Rod Hagen
Gee, when Ballmer comes out with crud like that its pretty clear that Apple are making some real headway with the switcher campaign! I guess that explains the huge number of converts we've been seeing on the Apple discussion boards recently in the iPod and Powerbook forums.
109. anonymous
Let's see...Where did they get Windows again?......
110. anonymous
Whose the thief? As a multiple iPod owner, with absolutely NO tracks except those bought on iTunes or off my own CD collection, I take umbrage at his comments about ME! These are fighting words, Is ready to put his money where is big fat mouth is?
111. Guy for HK
Just sue him or boycott MS unless he say sorry to all iPod users!
112. anonymous
I own two iPods, and all the music on them are either ripped from CD's I own or purchased online (Apple DRM where I pay once use many times). Just cant wait till iTMS come to Oz so I dont need to use vouchers.
What a hypocritical ass Mr Balmer is, as if I would subscribe to that rent control mechanism Microsoft calls a DRM. Might as well just listen to the radio, which is still free.
MonkeyBoy needs to take a cold shower and get a dose of reality. Then thats just M$ trying to sell a square wheel, because they cant make any money from a round wheel, because they cant patent/copyright that.
God forbid someone tries to patent the wheel... 8)
113. anonymous
He brays, he makes much to do about nothing, small thoughts from a small and sophomoric mind.
114. anonymous
The biggest theft in history took place when Windows 95 was launched - it was a copy of Macintosh '86 interface.
115. ultima160
Please. Steve you need to grow up. Slandering Apple is not going to help you sell more Windoze boxes. You should concentrate on innovation.
That is what people want, we want iPods and cool and useful devices. We don't want to be told that Windows is great when it isn't.
Haven't you heard of Linux? I would be more scared of Linux than Apple if I were you. It's making leaps and one day it will squash MS and you will be joining Apple with 2% market share at the bottom of the barrel.
116. carlo
RIAA: statistics, please.
This is idiot: Mac users are 5% in the OS market, but this "niche" suddenly becomes as populated as China every time MS speak about piracy.
It happened when Office v.X was released (missing lots of localisations); it's happening again with the iPod.
We, Mac users, are thieves!
So, please, RIAA: you have sued thousands of "burglars", don't you? Give us some numbers: do they use Macs or emptyboxes (windows)?
A final thought: microsoft "practice" is well known; how can they speak about thieves? Anyway, should all Mac users consider sueing Steve Ballmer? Would "uncle Bill" spend part of his fortune to defend such an idiot?
117. Jon Hill
I agree with Kevs, a journalist should challenge him to clarify his statement, as theres clearly defamation here.
To the Silicon.com editors, why not take this on for your readers? What with all your journalistic integrity, and the knowledge that so many of your readers would support you (take a look at the amount of comments here), surely you're well placed to contact Microsoft for a statement?
Go on, you know you want to...
118. Steve Jobs, Plumber
Hey, Ballmer..."In technology only a fool pisses off his customers". Congratulations you made Apple look better far better than they could have done!
119. anonymous
Most people around the world that steal music are using Windows
120. anonymous
very funny...coming from a guy who stole the original Mac's interface
121. Jerrybald
50p or 75p per track isn't theft then? That's the same price as CD tracks, for which materials are consumed, goods are manufactured, shipped, stored, displayed and generally moved through the supply chain, all of which costs. Electronic delivery costs almost nothing. The music companies are ripping us all off while the bosses are worrying that they won't always have income in the millions. Sell music online for 10, 15 or maybe 20p per track and you will sell many more. For heaven's sake grow up. Instead of whingeing for years they should have been promoting electronic delivery at a much improved price point, then there would have been no need to invent Napster et al.
122. anonymous
I still can't believe these arguments. Technology like Ipod's and MP3 drive the sales of legitimate cd and recordings. I'd like to bet that at least one or two albums is bought as a result of each IPod sale . I'd be very surprised if DRM increased overall sales of legitimate recordings. While not condoning illegal copying, I don't believe every illegal copy is a lost sale either and if the content providers are rubbing their hands together in anticipation of all that lost revenue I think they're in for along wait.
123. Graham Coles
Nice bit of promotion that, if you want people to buy your hardware instead of an iPod, insult the customer and brand him a thief! Can't see many other coorporations taking that approach to advertising.
I wonder if 'dancing monkey boy' Ballmer would be as happy to state how many machines used to trade and download music run Windows ... :-)
124. anonymous
Most software on Windows PCs is..<blankety blank>.
125. Space Monkey
If record companies offered music at a reasonable price, maybe they wouldn't have 'their' 'property' 'stolen'.
And isn't pushing blame onto Apple a bit like blaming all shootings on Charlton Heston? Or has Balmer never heard of audio cassette and radio?
126. Keith R
I take it nobody is going to support Mr. Ballmer's comment then? :)
127. Paul
Balmer should sue silicon.com for libel. How the hell do you quote him saying that in the headline, when he never actually said that.
The headline is a direct quotation, and as such, it means Balmer said those exact words, which he didn't.
(Ed note. I think if you read the story again you will note the headline attributes a paraphrasing of the quote to Ballmer, using single inverted commas. The direct quotes within the article are correctly phrased as such with double inverted commas. We acknowledge the direct quote in the story was "The most common format of music on an iPod is 'stolen'" but I don't think our paraphrasing was therefore too much of a leap from one to the other.)
128. anonymous
In asia, majority of the people who use Windows software are also thief too... its a common fact. it all pirated copies here... why pay good money for something so buggy and insecure... bloatware.. copycats...
129. anonymous
Broadside slander... No doubt there are iPod users who download illegal .mp3s, but not off the Apple iTunes Music Store they don't. Apple has done more to turn around widescale "free" downloading to a legitimate activity which ensures fresh revenue streams to music copyright owners. I have NEVER downloaded an illegal .mp3 but I DO purchase much more music for my iPod than I ever used to buy in any format before. Sour grapes by Ballmer...
130. Virtuous Maybe
You have to laugh at the dancing buffoon's tactics.
"It is a strong argument for a state of retribution hereafter, that in this world virtuous persons are very often unfortunate, and vicious persons prosperous. --Addison."
131. Jamie
Paul from Canada rightly points to silicon.com's presumably deliberate use of paraphrasing to incite a reader response... The "paraphrasing" (quote from Ed's comment to Paul) insinuates Ballmer said *all* iPOD users are thieves which isn't reflected in the article.
Shame the quote isn't a quote. I'm all for a good M$ bashing! ;-)
132. Jim
Thanks Ballmer, you just dropped another anchor in Apple Bay for me. There's no illegal music on my iPod, it's either from my CDs or from iTMS. I'm staying with my iMac and iPod - you obviously wouldn't want to mix with my sort. Go and sulk elsewhere please.
133. The Ed
[Ed note]
Some readers might notice the single quotation marks around 'iPod users are music thieves' has been taken out since we first published the article.
We've done this to clarify what Ballmer actually said. While single quotations are used here and widely recognised to mean a paraphrasing of the actual quote (which was obviously too long to use in the headline) some people seem to have taken it that it was a direct quote.
But just to reiterate - silicon.com was at the interview and the direct quotes in the article where Ballmer said most music on iPods is stolen were the exact words he used.
134. your biggest fan
Yeah, and I'll bet you came out dancing like wart hog on stage to Gloria Estefan again. Look at your credibility man (or thorough lack of), who gives a crap about the shit you spew from your pie hole.
135. dave
What exactly are his comments suppose to achieve? Do we honestly think Microsoft stands on the side of righteousness?
As long as the public uses Microsoft it gives Ballmer and his buddies the soapbox to air their unique views.
Switch to Mac or Unix or Linux or even pen & paper just stop using MS products!
136. dave
What exactly are his comments suppose to achieve? Do we honestly think Microsoft stands on the side of righteousness?
As long as the public uses Microsoft it gives Ballmer and his buddies the soapbox to air their unique views.
Switch to Mac or Unix or Linux or even pen & paper just stop using MS products!
137. Right Guard
Steve, with a comment like you made, you come off as a blithering idiot. I can't believe you get paid so much money to make ignorant statements, even if it is about a competitor. Repeat after me what is the best portable music player of all time, in your wildly chanting manner. "iPod! iPod! iPod!" That's right, Steve.
What is on my iPod is MY BUSINESS. You do NOT OWN my iPod. You don't know what is ON MY iPod, so how can you make a stupid statement saying it's full of stolen music? Even if it is, there is no way I'd share tunes with you. 8^}
And with all of your money, I'd think you could find a longer lasting anti-perspirant, for God's sake.
138. iPod User
Ballmer shut up!
-A french iPod User-
139. Eggman
Every piece of music on my ipod was either from cds bought by me, cds, given to me as a gift, or music that the artists themselves made availible for downloading for free on their web sites.
140. Spud
As an owner of an IPOD and a PC I find Mr. Ballmers comments offensive, his Idealogy oppressive, and small minded. I guess no one has mentioned to him Itunes music store's SALE of over 100 million songs and counting. I have no interest in the future Mr Ballmer proposes
141. anonymous
Ballmer's arrogance and ignorance know no bounds. Getting an iPod turned my boss's kid from a music pirate to an avid iTunes buyer. She now owns everything she plays. Amazing what happens when you combine a moneyed teenager with a useable system to deliver legal music.
142. Cosmic Ray
Most of the people I know who have "stolen" music are running Windows PC's.
143. anonymous
What they don't tell you is that most iPod users are also Windows users. Where is this DRM that they've had in Windows for years?
144. anonymous
Somehow I doubt all the people posting comments here really have all legal music on their ipod. In any case though, the ipod generalization is definitely out of line.
145. LINUX Lover
Come on guys, give MS a break. If it wasn't Bill stealing the GUI from Steve, which in turn came to Steve via Xerox; we wouldn't have windows.
If it wasn't for stealing others' ideas of products needed by business and industry (spreadsheets, remember Visicalc, wordprocessors - rem WordStar, etc., etc.) MS wouldn't have Office Suite.
But, face it, Bill is the re-incarnation of God to all you who use it in your business exploits -- whether to run it or to build your own technologies based on that OS. Of course, Ballmer is St. Peter, who even gives you the time of day to allow you thru' the pearly gates of Redwood (the HEAVEN)!!
Why don't you ZIP it or abandon it for LINUX - if you're that pissed.
Did you know, Ballmer, "Opportunity creates thieves"; Bill saw the opportunity and he did it, in fact I bet every single individual on Earth, BAR NONE is a theif, a Liar, a cheat, etc. etc. etc. The list is un-ending. That IS human NATURE.
146. sarre_nine
It is sad to see Ballmer so defensive when it comes to the iPod. Instead of praising a company that was able to convince the music industry to make a significant change in the way they sell songs, he condems them.
The only reason he has attacked Apple is that Microsoft has yet to come up with a user friendly method of sharing music. One that the music industry has endorsed. As for his blatant generalization, he is wrong. I have only purchased music on my iPod. Purchased through iTunes Music Store or ripped from my legally acquired CD collection.
147. anonymous
Music piracy was generated by the crap studio bands and no-hopers from talent shows producing crap music fronted by a bunch of coke snorting "Record Business" executive heads swanning aroud the world in their private jets while killing themselves laughing at the kids who were buying their shit products. They sell you the albums, cassetes, 8tracks, cd's, minidiscs, dvd's. Then they repackage them and sell you them again.
148. Paul Charlesworth
Steve Balmer is to computers as George Bush is to the world. He despises other people and uses force to solve problems. However, the problems always out think him.
149. Colin Prince
I believe in truth in editorial work -- please help keep truth in headlines. Thanks.
Colin Prince.
150. anonymous
This state of affair would have never occured if the record companys had not been ripping off both the musicans and the people who buy the music - its about time the music indusrty exec's took a pay cut
151. Cheese Weasel
I have wasted my life by throwing away my time on this issue. Ballmer is a sore loser, who should not be allowed to comment on Micro-Sukk in any way. It is an election year, so maybe he is jealous of "real" politicians or something. Why else would he attempt to incite some kind of negativity in the minds of the unthinking, corporate bean counters, who can't cut a turd without looking at the S&P500. I for one don't give a care about M$ and I never will. iPods have kicked the M$ ass and Ballmer has simply and conceded his loss with this outburst of mudslinging rhetoric. iPods rock the DRM world. Figure out how many peecee's have been used to steal music? Loook at that number and have a nice sleep tonight Mr. Ballmer. If you were to be accountable for your product being used for criminal activity, there would not be a fitting sentence for your ghastly crime. M$ is a menace to society!
152. anonymous
One word comes to mind: JACKASS
153. iPod_till_I_die
Oh dear, the iPod that I have been using for 3 years is something that I use to listen to stolen music.
I can't say that with a straight face...this moron "Ballmer" most likely can't use Windows. Too complicated for a lesser brain-wave-generating-life-form like him
154. Justin
What does Ballmer think trying to say that iPod users are theives?? Im hoping to get an iPod and Im definatly getting one now that Ballmer said the stuff he did. If Bill Gates didnt get the guy from Mac to hook up with him he never would have gotten the "Windows" operationg system so i think Ballmer should shut up, because I wish i had a mac and not a pc. I just cant afford a mac.
155. anonymous
If Microsoft is succesfull in a business, than the Microsoft product is necessary and, when is possible, become interegrated in the Os Windows, in order to oblige everybody to use this product and then it's impossible to separate it from Os Windows. When, rarely because the others has not the money to loose Microsoft has, some other is succesfull, Microsoft is crying claiming that the music is stolen etc... .
Just because the uncompatible Microsoft Media Player hasn't won.
156. anonymous
I resent the statement that I am a thief because I have an iPod. I own all the music on my iPod.
Keep your prejudiced statements to yourself. If you think about them long enough, you might stop yourself from making a public ass out of yourself in the future.
157. Justin G
Ballmer is an Idiot saying that ipod users are theives. I wish i had an ipod. Humans Knowledge belongs to everyone
by the way this is another justin. I am a friend of the other justin. We design websites together, and he showed me this website so i am doing a post. Ballmer Shut up!!!!
158. Jessie Thompkins
Thieves Huh! That's calling the kettle black don't you think Stevie boy. Your stuff doesn't even work and you are selling it to poor schmuck's who are too stupid to think for themselves, and think that what they are getting is just a bowl of cherries.. What an idiot!
159. ...switching to mac soon...
ok, so macs and ipods are for stolen music are they? is that why there are far more illegal music downloading and illegal file sharing programs for WINDOWS, not mac?!
sorry. it was hard to contain my sarcasm and keep a straight face while reading Ballmer's comment
btw, mr Ballmer. try producing an operating system that works.......
160. Alastair mclaren
The hypocrisy of corporate executives such as Ballmer should come as no surprise to we who are foolish enough to pay what little attnetion they deserve. Ultimately, in a capitalist society, the dollar of the masses has the real power. His bleating typifies an attitude of corporate jealousy.
161. Flame Target Man
He has a point.
Not a really good point, but he does raise the issue of Digital Rights. It's amazing how many people believe that there is no such thing as "stealing" music and how many people simply hate MS with no logical explaination or thought to back it up. This isn't about MS versus the world -it's about digital rights and the ability to enforce them.
Stealing sucks. Virtual or otherwise.
However, iPOD's are cool and people should have a right to back-up their own, legally purchased media as well as their own creative efforts. DRM may prevent people from this fair use by blocking any content not "sanctioned" through the DRM process or player. How does MS propose to handle people that create their own MP3's from records, tapes, talent, etc? It's a balanced proposition and I think the key is to track illegal download sites and then find those that steal and "charge" them for their stolen music. I'd love to see people that have downloaded "free" music from "free" sites have to cough-up $2 per stolen song when they cannot prove they purchased the right to listen to the music in the form of a record, CD, or legal download.
I don't think Apple has anything to worry about (except maybe quality control of batteries) - I'm on my 3rd Apple computer and 2nd iPOD in three years, but I also use XP and SUSE Linux. It's all about fitness for purpose.
162. Shawn Sepulvado
Hey man, Get a life! I left Microsoft Windows for Mac OSX years ago because Windows sucks! It crashes like a teenager in a new car, Doesn't like the iPod and you and Billy boy Gates suck! Especially you! You have alot of nerve saying that iPods have stolen music on them. If I bought Music off of iTunes, it is mine to do what with as I please. I bought the rights to it just like the cds I ripped to mp3's the other day I bought at a music store.
If anyone is a crook it would be you and moldy old Microsoft. Microsoft has monopolized the computer industry because it is convenient and CHEAP (cheap made). The origional windows was a cheap copy of Apples' first GUI. And has been like that every since. Ever wonder about the virus problem you have. Apple doesn't have that problem. I''m an Apple user armed with an iPod and there are alot of others out there like me.
GET OVER YOURSELF! Winds of change are blowing you into the past.
163. Simong
Illegal file sharing started long before iPod came into the picture. What makes anyone thinks only iPod users would steal musics? I am a PC user and an iPod user... Even with the improved DRM in OSX and XP I always have the question why microsoft can't do what Apple does? cross plateform? Its a everyday problem for us here and belive it or not most of us convert to Apple...
164. Luther
I was quite amused when Ballmer said he THINK windows is more secured and how fast they fixed patches..ahahhaahah..if it was so secure, it wun need any patches.
I think he is senile and do not know what is he talking. Or he might be paranoid, he need to see a $hrink maybe?
165. David Nelson
Yeah..He thinks you should only steal other company's ideas!
166. Stefan
Stealing music? Sounds like someone has thrown the rattle out of the pram because they are not getting their own way! Still, I'm sure they can console themselves with the millions they make scamming everyone else in their own special, Corporate American way.
167. scott
All Microsoft baggage aside...Until you stop people from buying, records (yes you can still buy a record), cds, and cassettes you will never stop people from stealing music. Have any of you ever harmlessly lent a record/cd/tape to a friend so they can 'record' it? Duh! Its an uphill battle they are fighting. Apple has enabled people through iPod and iTunes to easily and legally purchase music for their iPod and cd burning pleasures. Its all very reasonable - dont we all agree? Ballmer is a sniveling baby just cuz Microsoft and he can't have all the dough! Grow up Steve B.!
168. Kevin
So... Does being a Billionaire give you the right to also be an IDIOT...? *sigh*
169. anonymous
Hi I Use Windows XP And I Have an ipod and all my music is perfectly legal but just becouse I use a Apple Product I'm Breaking The Law That Does Not Seam Very Good But I Think Microsoft R Gready Litle Idiots Cos All They R After Is Money Money And More Money And Thats Why I Am Switching To An Apple IMac As I Have Hered That Apple Mac OS X Is Easy To Use
170. Robert
I get it now! This is the best marketing exercise Apple have ever pulled, and to get Ballmer in on it too? WOW.
See, he implies that future portable players will be DRM only capable, so everybody goes out and buys an iPod now, before the new systems are in place, so that it will still work after the new formats are all you can get.
Also, what better way to get people to buy, make them think it is illegal.
171. UK iPodder
Actually, the dud is right!
In the UK at least, it's still TECHNICALLY illegal to rip music from a CD to mp3 or aac. The phrase in law is that it's illegal to "copy music to another medium," eg a CD or mp3. I'd like to meet the cop that's bored enough to prosecute you for that though!
172. anonymous
What's all this digital malarky? I can fit over 20 songs on a C90 audio cassette.
Technology is a double edged sword. But hopefully the likes of Ballmer won't kill digital music in a way that Sony and Philips almost killed Minidiscs before anyone even used them.
173. anonymous
So obviously ballmer forgot how microsoft stole the DOS operating system from a programmer. Or that uncle Bill stole windows from the apple operating system. Or that Microsoft just settled a huge Anti-trust law suit. Before you cast the first stone maybe you should move out of that glass house.
174. anonymous
So obviously ballmer forgot how microsoft stoled the DOS opperating system from a programmer. Or that uncle Bill stole windows from the apple operating system. Or that Microsoft just settled a huge Anti-trust law suit. Before you cast the first stone maybe you should move out of that glass house.
175. anonymous
Ballmer is an idiot. He says that iTms is not easy to use, what a POS comment. His problem is that he is so afraid of actually liking the HIGHLY supperior Mac that he has never used one. Everyone knows that windows was stolen and now that Microsoft is playing catch-up he is trying to build Microsoft up by knocking Apple down. How about you trying inventing something on your own for a change.
176. anonymous
People in many of the world's poorer countries, and probably quite a few in Mississippi, are living on less than the cost of a iTunes download a day and Steve Ballmer thinks intellectual property is a relevant concept?
177. Stu Bleedingheart
If Steve Ballmer says they're theives, then it's true. No one know more about theivery than Steve and Bill.
178. getalife
do you know how silly you sound? For all crap and faulty product you've had to put up with from microslop over the years, you're indignant over that comment? who cares if you've copied music, and more so, who cares what ballmer says. get a life