Microsoft and NBC working on "copyright cop" for Zune?

Apple refused to cooperate with NBC on building filters into its iPod player to remove pirated movies and videos, but Microsoft may be more willing to do so – or at least look into it, it seems. In an article published yesterday, The New York Times suggested that future versions of the Zune could come with a “copyright cop” capable of blocking unauthorized content.

According to the report, Microsoft, as part of a deal to get NBC TV shows onto its Zune Marketplace, had agreed to implement technology into the MP3 player that would scan a user’s collection for copyright infringing content. The software giant has denied such claims, adding only that they have agreed to work with NBC across a range of topics, including protection of copyrighted material. Just what kind of protection they are looking into remains unknown. One thing is for certain, implementing consumer-hostile DRM systems isn’t the way to go if they are serious about competing with the iPod.