DRM Removal

Recently, there has been a revolution in the way people obtain music from various sources. Those who want to get music and videos can either go to the music store and purchase audio CDs and video DVDs, download media from the Internet for free, or buy the same from reputed online stores. As music piracy is on the rise, music companies are coming up with different forms of technology which oppose and discourage piracy. One of the main and prominent technologies include the Digital Rights Management (DRM). Remember that though there are many software in the market which remove DRM, modifying the access rights might be considered illegal. There have been many policies and laws regarding DRM removal. One such treaty is the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Copyright Treaty. In the US, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) lays down the conditions for violation of DRM from original content.

DRM is a advanced technology that is incorporated in music sold by online stores or even in audio CDs from music shops. DRM was created to support anti-piracy, with not allowing users to copy and convert the original media to other sources and platforms. Though DRM was intended to be used for stopping piracy, individuals who have purchased music legally are opposing it too. This is because, despite people obtaining the music by legal ways, they are not able to use it the way they want to on different devices. Owing to the opposition, many companies like Apple and Sony have started to offer DRM-free content for downloading. This technology is not only incorporated in audio CDs and online music downloads, but also in PC games and eBooks. If you have an audio CD with DRM active and want to use it on the computer or any other entertainment gadget, you will have to remove the DRM, for which a DRM removal tool is required.

How to Remove DRM

Removing DRM from audio files is just a matter of using the right kind of software that does the job. There is a wide range of such applications available on the Internet for free or paid downloads or in computer stores. These software bypass the DRM code and convert the protected files to other different formats you want. There are some advanced DRM removal tools that may even have other features such as video conversion and audio conversion. These tools remove the audio and video protection codes from files bought from sources such as Apple iTunes, Napster, MusicMatch, AOL MusicNow, MSNMusic, Rhapsody, etc. However, just check if some of the above media providers have DRM-free media for downloads by default. DRM removal software can convert protected AAC, WMA, WAV and many others to the standard MP3 format.

DRM Removal Software

• Wondershare Media Converter
• Aimersoft DRM Media Converter
• iSkysoft DRM Removal
• DRM Converter 3 for Mac
• SoundTaxi
• myFairTunes
• Daniusoft DRM Converter
• AnalogWhole
• WMA Convert Platinum
• ShareDRMusic
• NoteBurner
• MAC M4P Converter
• TuneClone Audio Converter for Mac
• DRM Converter
• NoteCable
• FreeMe2
• Audio Hijack
• DRMBuster
• QTFairUse
• FairUse4WM
• Tunebite Platinum
• Automate unDRM
• Audacity

Note that the functioning and features of these applications differ. However, one function remains the same, which is to process protected audio or video files and convert them into the format you want. If you are thinking of using a DRM removal software, it is suggested to go in for paid ones. These licensed applications include complete features and good output quality, unlike those available on the web for free download. Even though you are successful in removing DRM of audio and video files, it is recommended to use the files exclusive for personal use and not for public distribution and airing. Applications like SoundTaxi and Wondershare Media Converter are believed to be the best. Using a good DRM removal tool, you can easily use protected audio content on your Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune, or any other media player.