08/30/2006, 11:45am, EDT
Wednesday, August 30th
QTFairUse6 circumvents iTunes DRM
A new software solution circumvents Apple's FairPlay DRM restrictions to create DRM-free music from purchased iTunes music. Users on Hymn message boards, who have cracked the iTunes (FairPlay) DRM yet again, are committed to cracking the iTunes DRM to allow free use of purchased music. The project has been dead in the water since Apple released iTunes 6 and changed the way the iTunes DRM worked (although previous versions work with older iTunes versions); however, the new solution adapts original code from previous attempts (QTFairUse) and users have managed to get it work with iTunes 6. The somewhat-clunky QTFairUse6 requires Python 2.4 and several other tools and uses the information that is buffered (i.e., stored in memory) after iTunes/QuickTime decodes the file.
According to Ars, "QTFairUse6 looks at AAC frames in memory after they've been decrypted, but before the decoding step, and dumps the data into a file. It currently only runs under Windows, and relies on iTunes for the actual decryption work as well as FAAD for making the dumped data into playable AAC files. Unlike earlier tools like Hymn/JHymn and the original QTFairUse, this program can handle streams from iTunes 6.0.4 and later."
Previous projects have garnered negative attention from Apple--sometimes resulting in legal action. These attempts to outwit Apple have often had marginal success and have been usually hindered or side-stepped by Apple when the company issues updates to iTunes/QuickTime to counter any circulating DRM hacks or fix/update decoding issues.
Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video
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You only do this if you have other people's iTunes on your machine.
You people aren't kidding anyone.
On the other hand, what you do with the newly created DRM-free file is a question of your own ethics. I only do this so that I can put these AAC files onto my Sony-Ericsson Walkman W-600 phone. It won't take DRM, but will play AAC.
However, (and this is for those people who don't think that there are legitimate uses) I do have one issue. I'm a DJ and with protected AAC tracks I can't use my DJ software (Traktor) to play those tracks. Moreover, the whole burn/rip process degrades the audio quality so that's less than desirable. Personally, I've been waiting for this ever since iTunes 6 broke JHhmn. If Apple would make FairPlay available to third parties (Native Instruments in this case) I wouldn't ever have to think about using JHymn again, but as it stands, I really don't have any other viable choice where I can LEGALLY BUY my music from iTunes and use it for the purpose that I purchased it.
I also object to Apple putting Fairplay onto tracks that are easily available as cheaper legal MP3s via other sites (i.e. emusic). I can understand why Apple had to introduce Fairplay (to get major labels to agree) but it is beginning to prove a pain in the neck (and it is only an irritation rather than impossible to work round). Want to create a bespoke ringtone? Rip/Burn/Edit/Send via Bluetooth.
Although the answer there is simple - use emusic where possible.
It might be in violation of the Apple EULA but once again, it's a case of the Fairplay (and other DRM systems) being out of step with what people actually want / require to do with their media.
Come on. Quit claiming superiority. EVERYONE in some way tries to put one over on "the man" or abuse "the system".
I am sure some of these people have kept the extra change when the cashier makes a small mistake.
Or not told the cashier when an item rings up cheaper than it is supposed to be.
Or kept the "extra" soda when the fast food place gives you one at order then forgets and gives you another one when you pick up your food.
Or claimed your $10 TV that you gave to GoodWill was actually worth $200 so you could get a better deduction.
Or claimed a few extra miles on that expense report, or maybe a couple extra incidentals for reimbursement.
Or not been honest paid the late fee on a movie rental when they forget to charge you.
Or ran a red light in the middle of the night.
Or took a french fry when your kid isn't looking.
Come on with the self righteous crap people. Everyone gets what they can in life - we are not all Exxon Mobil CEOs...
I $BUY$ my songs from iTunes because it is easy. I SPEND MY MONEY THERE. Once the song is on my computer I would like to be able to move it around as I please. To my Tivo. To my Linux boxes. To my wife's computer... Whatever. The same things I can do with the over 600 CDs I have purchased.
How is that evil or wrong? No one is using this stuff to pirate stuff as you have to BUY IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
Sure - I am sure that there are a few people who will let friends copy some tracks. That happens with any technology...
But it is not for the comment makers here to judge others - because I am sure you would not want to be under the microscope your self...