I wrote about DRM (aka Digital Rights Management) a few years ago, but that was just an introduction. It's time to take stock of the changes in this area. There's a chance that over time, most publishers will abandon it, just like Denuvo is doing in the gaming industry. But for now, if you try to watch a movie on a platform other than the one you bought it on, there's a good chance you'll run into DRM. It's like the bouncer at the club who won't let you in unless you're on the VIP list, only instead of being cool and intimidating, DRM is just annoying.
So, what is DRM? Simply put, it's a set of technologies designed to control the use of digital content. Think of it as a virtual lock on your media files – music, movies, e-books, software, etc. – that dictates what you can and can't do with them. For example, if you buy a song from Apple Music, DRM can prevent you from playing it on a device that is not part of the Apple ecosystem. If you rent a movie from Amazon Prime, DRM ensures that you can only stream it for the duration of the rental period, and not download it forever.
I think no one has a question - why is DRM needed at all? It's all about protecting intellectual property - at least that's what the official side says. Content creators and distributors argue that DRM helps prevent piracy, when people illegally copy or distribute copyrighted material. Without DRM, they argue, everyone would just share everything for free, and artists would starve. But let's be realistic: DRM is also about control over how and where you consume media, which can sometimes feel like Big Brother intruding into your personal space.
A funny thing is that opponents of DRM have long mastered ways to circumvent it and have no problems. While for legal users, the technology causes constant inconvenience.
In this article, I'll try to cover in more detail how DRM works, what types of audio files it protects, whether it can be bypassed (spoiler: sometimes), and whether it's legal to do so (spoiler: usually not). Let's get started!
1 How Does DRM Actually Work?
So, let's figure out how DRM actually works under the hood. Conventionally, the whole system is divided into two components, and the first of them concerns the content itself. Here, encryption and access control come first. Here's the TL;DR version:
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Encryption
This is the basis of the technology, everything else would simply not make sense if the file data could be accessed directly. Encryption algorithms are usually not advertised, and access keys are only available to trusted publishers. This means that only authorized devices or programs can open the file.
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Authentication
Before you can decrypt the file data, you must prove that you have the right to do so. This usually requires logging into the account through which you purchased the music or using the license key that comes with the file. Think of it like showing your ID at a bar - only instead of proving that you are 21, you prove that you paid for the content.
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Access Rules
Once authenticated, the DRM system determines what you can do with the file. For example, whether you can play the file on your current device or rent it to watch for a certain amount of time.
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Revocation
If the content provider decides that you have violated their terms, or simply does not want to support the service anymore, they can remotely revoke your access. Yes, this means that they can essentially stop you from using the file, even if you have already paid for it.
Now we come to the second part, which is not tied to data, but is part of the ecosystem you use.
If you buy music from Apple Music, the DRM is tied to your Apple ID. So you can play it on any Apple device signed in to your account, but good luck trying to play it on a Windows PC without jumping through hoops.
Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ use DRM to prevent you from downloading movies and watching them offline forever. They encrypt the video and only allow you to watch it through their app.
Some of the most common DRM systems are called FairPlay (used by Apple) and Widevine (used by Google). They are basically the bouncers at your favorite club who decide who gets in and who doesn't. They work behind the scenes to ensure that the rules set by the content providers are followed.
So DRM is a combination of encryption, authentication, and rule enforcement – all designed to stop you from committing fraud with your digital files. While it may sound high-tech, DRM is really more about trust (or lack thereof) than anything else. Content providers don't trust you to follow the rules to begin with, so they create technology to enforce those rules for you. Fun times, huh?
2 What Types of Audio Files Are Protected by DRM?
Now that we've covered how DRM works, let's talk about where you'll most often encounter it in the wild – specifically, in audio files. DRM was once everywhere in the music industry. Remember the early days of iTunes? Every song you bought had DRM on it, but then suddenly you could pay extra to have it removed. Personally, I don't want to have to guess which version of a song I'm getting, and I'd rather avoid formats that support DRM.
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AAC (Advanced Audio Codec)
AAC is the format used by Apple Music and iTunes. Back in the early 2000s, AAC files were hard-coded with DRM. They could only be played on devices authorized with your Apple ID, making sharing or transferring songs a pain in the ass. Luckily, Apple eventually ditched DRM for most of its music catalog, but some older tracks or rentals may still have it.
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WMA (Windows Media Audio)
Microsoft's answer to MP3, WMA files were often protected by DRM when sold through services like the Zune Marketplace (RIP, Zune). Like AAC, these files were restricted to specific devices or software, making them very difficult to manage. Fun fact: DRM-protected WMA files were so unpopular that they almost ruined Microsoft's attempts to compete with Apple in the music space.
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MP3
Good old MP3 is never protected by DRM. That's because MP3 was the standard long before there were any protections. Any attempt to add DRM would break compatibility with millions of existing devices and software. Most DRM-free music you buy online today comes in MP3 format, making it very easy to play on any device. Kudos!
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FLAC
FLAC is the most popular lossless compression format and an audiophile's best friend. This format is developed by an open-source community, which means there won't be any nasty surprises. Most DRM-free music stores offer hi-res music in FLAC.
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OPUS
A rising star among lossy codecs. Another open format from the open-source community, it provides better compression than AAC. And no DRM. This format is most often found on YouTube, but I don't think it's too long to see it in music stores.
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Streaming Services
Okay, so technically streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal don't give you the actual audio files — you're just streaming the music over the internet. But guess what? DRM is still in play. These services use DRM to prevent you from constantly downloading tracks or sharing them outside of the app. Even if you use the “offline listening” feature, the files are still encrypted and tied to your account.
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Audiobooks
Audiobooks are another area where DRM is ubiquitous. Platforms like Audible use DRM to lock audiobook files, meaning you can only listen to them through their app or on authorized devices. Want to switch to another audiobook platform? Too bad - you'll likely have to re-purchase your library.
In short, DRM is most often found in proprietary formats like AAC and WMA, as well as streaming services and audiobooks. Open formats like MP3 and FLAC are DRM-free. So it's logical to play it safe and buy audio tracks in these formats. You can convert the audio to a proprietary format later, but converting it back can cause problems.
3 Is It Possible to Bypass DRM?
So, let's get to the elephant in the room: is it possible to bypass DRM? The short answer is yes, it is technically possible. People have been breaking DRM since the early days of digital media, and there are plenty of tools and techniques online to help you do it. But - and this is a big "but" - just because you can, doesn't mean you should. More on that later.
First, let's talk about how people bypass DRM. There are a few common methods:
- Software tools
There are programs specifically designed to remove DRM from audio files. I won't name them because their legality is questionable. These tools typically work by decrypting the file and saving it in a new, DRM-free format. Sounds easy, right? But not so fast - many of these tools cost money, and each service requires a separate tool. They also play a constant game of cat and mouse with DRM developers, so they may stop working after an update.
- Capture playback
If you're dealing with streaming services or audiobooks, another workaround is to simply record the audio as it plays. This used to require support from your sound card drivers, but some audio recorders now have the ability to capture system sounds, allowing you to save the file in the format you want. Sure, it's a bit inconvenient, but it works everywhere - especially for things like audiobooks, where the DRM is tied to the playback app.
- Third-party conversion services
Some sites and services will convert DRM-protected files to DRM-free files - for a fee, of course. These services aren't always successful, though. Some are legitimate, while others are outright scams or violate copyright laws.
- Good old hacks
In the old days, people used analog methods to bypass DRM, like plugging a tape recorder into the headphone jack of their computer to record the audio. Even though this method is laughably outdated, it still technically works.
But here's the rub: bypassing DRM isn't always easy. New DRM systems are getting smarter, and many of them require constant authentication with servers. For example, streaming services Netflix and Disney+ use advanced DRM that's nearly impossible to crack without serious technical knowledge (and potentially illegal tools).
4 Is It Legal to Bypass DRM?
This is where things get tricky. You can take the word of the vendors of specialized tools, but that doesn't change the fact that using them is illegal. In the US, for example, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) makes it illegal to circumvent DRM, even if you're not pirating or distributing the content. Similar laws exist in other countries, including members of the European Union and Australia.
Why is it illegal? Lawmakers argue that DRM exists to protect the rights of copyright holders, and circumventing DRM undermines that protection. Even if your intentions are pure (like converting an audiobook to MP3 to listen to on another device), you're still breaking the law.
However, there are a few gray areas:
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Personal Use: Some countries allow limited exceptions for personal use. For example, backing up an audio CD that you legally own may be okay, but sharing it with others is definitely not.
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Expired Content: If a service shuts down and you lose access to your purchases, some argue that bypassing DRM to restore files should be fair game. Unfortunately, the law doesn't always agree.
How big is the risk of getting caught? If you're capturing audio during playback, it's a secret from outsiders. If you're using specialized software and doing it through your account, it's easy to track. If you're caught, it could lead to fines or worse, especially if you distribute the content afterward.
5 Final Thoughts
So, what do we have as a result? DRM is not a real obstacle for pirates, but it is still a problem for legal users. I am glad that more and more stores offer songs in free formats. The last stronghold of DRM is streaming services that get money from advertising - there have been no positive changes here yet.
And what can become an alternative? Donations and crowdfunding have been around for a long time, but cases of success can be counted on the fingers. One of the new ways to monetize content has become distribution in exchange for a subscription or review. Platforms like Bandcamp provide direct communication between fans and artists. Other platforms offer to pay for high-resolution sound. So there is always a choice.