iTunes DRM changed?

From the iTunes 6.0.5 release notes:

Note: After purchasing music from the iTunes Music Store with iTunes 6 or later, you also need to upgrade your other computers that purchase music from the iTunes Music Store to the latest version of iTunes.

Is it just me or does that imply that they’ve updated their DRM again? I can’t think of any other reason why newly purchased music would be incompatible with older versions of the software.

In any case it neatly highlights the extent to which music bought from the iTunes music store is locked to Apple’s proprietary software. You did realise if you want to keep playing the music you bought from them you can never buy an MP3 player other than an iPod, right? And if you decide to ditch Mac OS in favour of, say, Linux you’re shit out of luck too.

8 Responses to “iTunes DRM changed?”

  1. Shaun Says:

    Click Purchased smart list icon, hit Burn Disc.

    Problem solved.

  2. Andy Says:

    Ah - the “it’s not a problem because their DRM doesn’t work” argument. Of course they’re quite at liberty to disable any workaround in future releases.

  3. Olly Says:

    Long live the hymn/jhymn project!

  4. Shaun Says:

    They can disable any workaround later if they like. It won’t change the DRM on the songs I’ve burnt on to a CD.

    Saying that, I’ve precisely three purchased songs from iTMS.

  5. Andy Says:

    Yeah, that’s fine for you Shaun - it doesn’t help all the people who continue to buy DRM encumbered music without realising the extent to which they’re getting locked in to one vendor.

  6. Shaun Says:

    Caveat Emptor

    Maybe I’m weird but I read the EULAs.

  7. MikeD Says:

    “Maybe I’m weird but I read the EULAs”

    I think that probably is pretty weird in the context of the population at large. Anyway, Apple saying “We’re actually a bit evil” in its small print doesn’t make it any less evil ;-)

  8. Nick Says:

    They only do it because of pressure from folk like the RIAA. Did you see this on how much the RIAA carea about consumers?

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