DRM-Free

What Does DRM-Free Mean?

DRM-free refers to media without digital rights management (DRM). DRM-free technology permits software to bypass access control technologies used in media protected by copyright laws. Due to consumer frustration with the inability to play digital music on any device they choose, and for as long as they want, DRM-free products are becoming more popular.

Advertisements

Techopedia Explains DRM-Free

Napster began providing DRM-free MP3 music in 2009. Apple also provides digitally recorded music as DRM-free through iTunes. Apple also provides casual copying (defined as unshared, non commercial digital media usage) by way of their FairPlay DRM software.

Furthering the new U.S. law, copyright owners can be fined if they add DRM software to media that is ruled as exempt. Amazon also provides DRM-free music. However, consumers should be forewarned about reading the fine print from the companies such as Apple, since limitations may be included.

Advertisements

Related Terms

Latest Cybersecurity Terms

Related Reading

Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…