iTunes Store and DRM-free music: What you need to know

twice the bit rate of standard iTunes tracks; and no DRM means you can play your files on as many Macs or PCs as you want.

Isn't AAC an Apple-specific format that isn't portable to other devices?

Although Apple has embraced the AAC format, it didn't invent it. The only Apple-specific part of old iTunes files is that they're wrapped in DRM (these music files end in the file extension .m4p--the p stands for "protected"--as opposed to .m4a). Apple's DRM is only compatible with Apple products, but AAC files play on a wide variety of players.

What kinds of AAC-compatible players are you talking about?

Most other portable MP3 players around--yes, even Zunes--will play AAC files. Other products that let you play music from your network through your home stereo, such as Logitech's Squeezebox products and the Sonos music system, can also play AAC files. Now, you'll be able to enjoy any music you purchase from iTunes on a Squeezebox, Sonos multi-room music system, or similar device.

But what if I have a piece of hardware or software that only works with MP3 files? Can I convert my iTunes tracks?

Yes. Since they're no longer protected, you can use iTunes (or other software) to convert them to MP3 or another format.

Does the lack of DRM mean that it's okay to give copies of the songs I buy to my friends?

No, copyright law is still in effect--passing songs around is music piracy. However, the lack of DRM allows you as the consumer to be the judge of what's right and what's wrong, giving you a flexibility that DRM couldn't. For example, imagine parents and kids co-mingling their music libraries. That seems absolutely fair to us, although in many cases quite unlikely. And if you opt to share your iTunes library on your local network, others can stream the songs you've purchased from the iTunes Store (currently people can see them, but if they double-click on a song to play it, they're prompted to authorize their computers to be able to listen). But putting a song up on a file-sharing service and letting 20 of your friends download it? That's now possible, but not exactly ethical. (And it's fair to note that iTunes does embed your iTunes ID in every iTunes plus file you download, so it's easy to see who bought the file originally.)

Does this mean the end of copy-protected movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store?

Absolutely not. This applies to music tracks and music videos only.