Reply #19: No DRM ...

[RoyGBiv]

Your CD collection isn't restricted like that ... well, not most of your CDs are, although there are some that try it. Strictly speaking, you're not "allowed" to play your CD collection on any device other than a CD player manufactured by a company that has paid the licensing fees necessary to legally use the label. But when the standard was set out, few foresaw the rise of digital music of this variety that could so easily be shared, and little attempt was made to incorporate restriction into it.

If you're "ripping" the CDs to play on an MP3 player, you're not adding any DRM to it, so, yes, it'll play on any MP3 player out there.

The point is, there are many services out there that legitimately sell songs for your MP3 player, and they tend to come with some sort of digital restriction management, some of which are friendlier than others in that it doesn't force you to play the media on a certain device. Both Apple and Microsoft with their MP3 player products are trying to wipe out the rest of this market, just like they do with everything.

And, if you do start using either the iTunes store or Marketplace, the stuff you buy there will lock you into the hardware they sell. (Well, there are ways around it, but I'm speaking in terms of legalities.)