Digital rights management, or DRM, is software that limits use of digital media. DRM has received the most attention with regards to digital music downloads. When a song is downloaded from the internet through a service like iTunes or Napster, DRM is included in the music file which prevents users from copying or using the file in certain ways. This is sometimes done with a special song format. iTunes uses M4P format for all music downloads which is a protected format. All music downloads with the M4P format have DRM. Other services will utilize DRM in more common song formats such as WMA or MP3 and you may not know that they are protected songs until you’ve tried to load them onto an unauthorized computer or mp3 player.

What does DRM Do?

DRM is intended to keep users from distributing digital files or music to others illegally. While it may sometimes accomplish this goal, it more often ends up simply preventing you from using legally purchased music how you want.

DRM protection prevents you from being able to copy music to more than a certain number of computers, usually 3. If you own more than three computers, or your DRM-protected music file is lost and has to be reloaded to your computer more than the prescribed number of times, you may not be able to access that music file any longer.

DRM can also prevent users from copying music to CDs. If you want to listen to purchased music in your car, you may not be able to because of digital rights management software.

DRM limits what types of MP3 players will play your music files. iTunes music, which utilizes Fairplay DRM software, will only work on iPod mp3 players. Many users will purchase a large number of iTunes songs only to realize the files won’t play on their portable player. They must buy an iPod which can be more expensive than other brands of mp3 players. Music services other than iTunes are usually not compatible with iPods. 

See chart of which mp3 players are compatible with which music services.

Is there a way around DRM?

There are internet services that offer legal, DRM-free music downloads. Emusic is the largest of these offering all of their music downloads in universal MP3 format.  

There are also ways to remove DRM from music that has already been purchased. One way is to burn the songs to a CD, if the copy-protection allows this, and then rip the songs back onto a PC. This method works for iTunes and some other services.

The other method for removing DRM is to utilize DRM-removal software. This type of software usually re-records the music for you with high-speed dubbing through the soundcard of the computer. Tunebite is probably the most popular DRM-removal software.

While it is legal to remove DRM from music files, it is not legal to distribute that music to others who do not own the files. But for users who have legally purchased music downloads, DRM can become a nuisance. It may prevent them from getting full use of their music.