San Francisco - After similar moves were made by Microsoft (NASD: MSFT) and Yahoo (NASD: YHOO), Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) has announced plans to shut down servers that provide continued access for consumers to songs they purchased from its digital music store that were wrapped in digital rights management (DRM) security -- which the company has since abandoned in favor of MP3s.

These songs will no longer be able to be transferred to a new computer after the DRM shut-off, and Wal-Mart is advising customers to back up their DRM-wrapped song purchases to CDs.

Both Microsoft and Yahoo have made similar moves, although Microsoft recanted after consumer complaints and pledged to support its DRM servers until 2011, while Yahoo offered refunds on purchases to those affected.

Digital civil liberties group the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called on Wal-Mart to issue a public apology to consumers; offer to refund DRM-wrapped songs or exchange them for DRM-free versions; and provide permanent access to receipts to its customers.

The group also said Wal-Mart should "offer to cover their legal costs if they are hit with a copyright infringement claim based on a DRM-crippled song purchased through Walmart."

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/3y25e (EFF statement)

http://snipurl.com/3y2f4 (DMW previous coverage)

http://snipurl.com/3y2fa (DMW previous coverage)