Secrets of Online Music Service Licenses

EFF Lays Out the Facts on the iTunes Music Store

According to the EFF analysis, Apple reserves the right to change at any time what you can do with the music you purchase at the iTunes Music Store. In April 2004, Apple decided to modify the DRM so people could burn the same playlist only 7 times, down from 10. How much further will the service restrict your ability to make legal personal copies of your own music? Only Apple knows.

Another hallmark of ownership is the right to give away or sell your property. Apple's DRM frustrates first sale. There are other ways that Apple's DRM limits what you can do with a song you own:

• Restricts back-up copies: Song can only be copied to 5 computers
• Restricts converting to other formats: Songs only sold in AAC with Apple DRM
• Limits portable player compatibility: iPod and other Apple devices only
• No remixing: Cannot edit, excerpt, or otherwise sample songs

Many other a la carte download services impose similar restrictions. EFF's guide provides information on Napster, Microsoft and RealNetworks licenses, in addition to Apple's.