Microsoft Denies Plans For Content Screening On Zune

Redmond, WA (AHN) - Software giant Microsoft quickly denied a Wednesday report it plans to include the ability to scan the contents of its Zune media player for pirated songs or videos. The report followed a deal between Microsoft and NBC to offer video downloads.

On Wednesday, the New York Times quoted a Microsoft spokesman that the Zune maker was investigating ways to prevent NBC content being stored without the media company's permission.

In a statement Wednesday, Microsoft said it had "no plans or committments to implement" filtering on the Zune. Microsoft spokesman Adam Sohn told CNET the software maker is working with NBC on various issues, but not filtering.

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced it will sell NBC television shows via its Zune Marketplace in an attempt to match Apple's iTunes sales of television episodes for the iPod. NBC had left iTunes after a dispute with Apple over pricing.