Let this be a reminder to “those of you”:http://www.boingboing.net/2004/03/26/vlc_will_play_itunes.html out there that don’t “read the rules”:http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014. Nothing pisses me off more than someone complaining about something that has full disclosure.
Apple’s DRM licensing in regards to the iTunes Music Store is fairly loose, IMO. At any one time you can authorize 3 computers to play songs you’ve downloaded from the music store. Attempting to play on a non-authorized computer will prompt iTunes to ask you to authorize that computer. If you’ve used up your 3 slots, your going to need to deauthorize one. That’s the rule. Simple, right?
Well, some people forget to deauthorize their machines when they sell them or send them in for repair. Is this Apple’s fault? Should you blame DRM because of your lack of fore thought? I don’t think so. Some “people would rather complain”:http://www.boingboing.net/2004/03/26/vlc_will_play_itunes.html that it’s Apple’s fault and that their DRM rules are too strict instead of looking for the real solution, which is NOT cracking the DRM.
The “rules”:http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014 not only state that you can have up to 3 computers authorized at one time, they also mention that if you contact iTunes support they can deauthorize machines no longer in your possession. Gee, have you even tried that… I’ve actually done this before due to my own lack of fore thought and support was very helpful in that regard.
Next time instead of complaining about DRM, try reading the “rules”:http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014. You might learn something.