Fairplay DRM

FairPlay is the digital rights management (DRM) software created by Apple Inc. FairPlay is built into the software for iPods, and iTunes. Protected songs bought from the iTunes Store are encoded with FairPlay. The software digitally encrypts AAC audio and keeps users from playing them on unauthorized computers or on mp3 players that are not iPods.

Get rid of Fairplay, convert your itunes music to mp3, here.

FairPlay-protected files are container files with the file extension .MP4 and are an encrypted AAC audio stream. Each time you buy a track on iTunes a new random user key is generated and used to encrypt the file. The user key is stored with your account information on Apple's servers.

When you authorize a new computer, iTunes sends a unique machine identifier to Apple. This way Apple can limit the number of computers authorized and make sure you have the user keys necessary to play the music tracks.

IPods also have an encrypted key repository. When a FairPlay-protected track is copied onto your iPod, the user key is copied to your iPod. This allows iPods to play fairplay encrypted audio streams.

Many feel that Apple is unfairly using Fairplay to corner their market by only allowing itunes music to work on their own players. Some music lovers have bought hundreds of songs from itunes before realizing that it won't work on their digital player. Some have also lost their music files permanently when their computers crashed because the protected format won't allow them to back up music on another computer.

FairPlay doesn't affect your ability to copy music files. It just makes it so you can't play the file on an unauthorized computer or on your mp3 player.

How can I get rid of Fairplay on my music files?
It is possible (and legal) to convert your iTunes music to regular mp3 format. This way, you can use your iTunes songs on any mp3 player or computer.

One way to fix your protected music files is to burn your music to a CD in itunes, and then rip it back onto your computer with windows media player or Nero. But having software do it is much faster and won't us up a ton of CDs.

You can read more about getting rid of fairplay encryption on your music files here:

Learn how to convert iTunes music to mp3 format


What iTunes says about fairplay.
"Since Apple does not own or control any music itself, it must license the rights to distribute music from others, primarily the big four music companies: Universal, Sony BMG, Warner and EMI. These four companies control the distribution of over 70% of the world's music. When Apple approached these companies to license their music to distribute legally over the Internet, they were extremely cautious and required Apple to protect their music from being illegally copied. The solution was to create a DRM system, which envelopes each song purchased from the iTunes store in special and secret software so that it cannot be played on unauthorized devices."

Ipod + itunes + fairplay drm = restriction

This equations describes how Fairplay really works. It's a great way to make sure you buy only ipod brand mp3 players and only use itunes software. Fairplay effectively ties the hands of itunes customers.