Have you been frustrated because your MP3 player wouldn't support the DRM copy-protection format?

Understanding how DRM and the DMCA pose a danger to your rights will help you to make fully informed purchasing decisions. Before buying DRM-crippled music from any service, you should consider the following examples and be sure to understand how the service might limit your ability to make lawful use of the music you purchase.

Your investment in CDs has paid all kinds of dividends over time because third parties could freely enable novel uses, like ripping MP3s or creating your own ringtones. But when you buy DRM-crippled music, you're locked into the limited array of software and devices that DRM vendors say you can use.

Many online music stores offer songs wrapped in Microsoft's Windows Media Audio (WMA) DRM, but not every device supports this format. But what happens if you later want to switch to a WMA-incompatible iPod, or a superior device that Microsoft won't license? You'll have to rebuy your music collection. Unlike MP3s, you can't easily convert DRM-crippled music to a different format.

Microsoft's campaign is meant to make you comfortable with its limited universe of compatible products. But what happens if you later want to switch to a WMA-incompatible iPod, or a superior device that Microsoft won't license? You'll have to rebuy your music collection. Unlike MP3s, you can't easily convert DRM-crippled music to a different format. Likewise, if you switch music stores, you might have to buy a new set of compatible devices. And if the time comes that stores and devices no longer support your DRM, you're entirely out of luck.

Tired of DRM-protected file formats like WMA, M4P, AA, M4B, MP4 getting in your way?

Share DRM Music comes to the rescue! It automatically converts the music you have purchased online as you are burning it to a virtual CD-RW drive as unprotected audio (MP3, OGG and WMA) you can use anywhere. You can easily get unprotected MP3, WMA or WAV files ready for use on the virtual CD.