AfterDawn: News

Personal info embedded in DRM-free iTunes downloads

We already reported that Apple Inc.'s iTunes is now selling DRM-less versions of EMI's catalog of music (and briefly mentioned the subject at hand). However, there is a slight difference between the DRM-free downloads from iTunes and the MP3 files spread across P2P networks. Apple has decided, for security reasons (and perhaps too quietly), to embed a user's name and account email into every DRM-free download.

Of course, this was a bit of a "shocking" detail for many. However, it does serve as a reminder that the downloads are sold without restrictions so the user can do what he/she wants with it for personal use, not share it with the world through every P2P network available. This issue is still gaining a lot of attention however, as one could interpret it as an attempt to weed out file sharers quietly.



Sharing these files on a P2P network will no doubt land you with legal problems eventually, so don't do it. All in all, this doesn't take away the fact that it's a big step for the music download business and paying customers who now don't have to suffer horrible DRM restrictions.

Source:
Pocket-Lint.co.uk

Written by: James Delahunty @ 31 May 2007 19:34

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• 9 comments

• WierdName

  I guess that way is better than DRM, however they should NOT have did it quietly.

  31.5.2007 22:02 #1

• nrmsmith

  User details are in plain view when you look at the Info panel of any DRM-free track. This isn't exactly "hiding" the information.....

  31.5.2007 23:52 #2

• fungyo

  oops... my iPod/mp3 player got stolen with 100's of music files all with my name attached to them. I'm sure the thief wouldn't stoop so low and illegally trade my songs on a p2p network.
  Of course it's nothing to worry about because a court of law will believe me and let me go free and the media mafia will sympathise with me anyway.
  
  Or... I've just sold my empty mp3 player. The new owner couldn't use software to retrieve those deleted songs all with my name attached could they?
  
  Or.. someone connected to my wireless network and downloaded all my personal identifying mp3's.
  
  I'm sure there will be innocent people hurt by this.
  
  They still don't get it and will continue to shaft the consumer.

  1.6.2007 02:29 #3

• tefarko

  hmmm... what if you lose your MP3 player with your files inside and they show up at the P2P network?...

  1.6.2007 02:31 #4

• windsong

  Never ceases to amaze me the stupidity of the sheeple/masses. Obviously they've never heard of Usenet.

  1.6.2007 09:43 #5

• AXT

  ...please.

  1.6.2007 15:55 #6

• borhan9

  Quote:This issue is still gaining a lot of attention however, as one could interpret it as an attempt to weed out file sharers quietly.I was a bit suspicious about this whole thing in the start was not sure why they gave in soo easily, Now when know the loop hole. Well if you don't share i don't see the problem with this feature but can we say give a CD to our friends will we still get in trouble. Thats the question.

  1.6.2007 19:12 #7

• neurokasm

  it's quite simple really, just don't d/l anything from itunes.

  1.6.2007 19:25 #8

• Unfocused

  Just when things were looking up for iTunes, they give us more reason to illegaly download our music elsewhere.

  28.6.2007 06:31 #9