Protected Audio

[noddin0ff]

I don't have any DRM protected files myself, but I could see it being a problem for many.

The music industry has been able to wrangle some pretty restrictive legislation. Does legistration forbid removal of DRM?

In the US and the EU, yes.

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is a United States copyright law passed unanimously on May 14, 1998, that criminalizes the production and dissemination of technology that allows users to circumvent copyright protection methods, rendering all forms of DRM-stripping and circumvention software illegal. On 22 May 2001, the European Union passed the EU Copyright Directive, an implementation of the 1996 WIPO Copyright Treaty that addressed many of the same issues as the DMCA.

The legislation is entirely about DRM; it doesn't criminalize 'fair use'. As far as I know there are no laws which require copyrighted works to be produced in a format that permits fair use duplication. And, it should be noted that you can indeed duplicate a DRM protected file as long as defeating the DRM is not part of the process (not that it helps free up you DRM music any).

Also when you purchase DRM files, say from iTunes, you agree to terms that essentially state that you will not defeat the DRM.

Terms
b. Security. You understand that the Service, and products purchased through the Service, such as sound recordings, videos and related artwork ("Products"), include a security framework using technology that protects digital information and limits your usage of Products to certain usage rules established by Apple and its licensors ("Usage Rules"). You agree to comply with such Usage Rules, as further outlined below, and you agree not to violate or attempt to violate any security components. You agree not to attempt to, or assist another person to, circumvent, reverse-engineer, decompile, disassemble, or otherwise tamper with any of the security components related to such Usage Rules for any reason whatsoever. Usage Rules may be controlled and monitored by Apple for compliance purposes, and Apple reserves the right to enforce the Usage Rules with or without notice to you. You will not access the Service by any means other than through software that is provided by Apple for accessing the Service. You shall not access or attempt to access an Account that you are not authorized to access. You agree not to modify the software in any manner or form, or to use modified versions of the software, for any purposes including obtaining unauthorized access to the Service. Violations of system or network security may result

You 'signed' an agreement. It's your word, whatever that's worth. I agree it's a 'problem'. You bought a lot of files that you can only use in a limited way. But guess what? IT'S BUYER BEWARE! You bought it that way, live with it!

Better yet, buy direct downloads from the artists when you can many offer lossless versions. Buy original CD's and rip them as many times in as many formats as you like.

Finally, nothing prevents you from recording the analog output from your computer. Just like the old days of taping off the air.