how to stop play/pause (f8) to open itunes?

i don't think is possible as i've searched around the net for this, but most of things i've found are pretty old so maybe theres a fix now?

basically, it really annoys me when i use spotify the play/pause controls on my keyboard will work to pause spotify, but will straight away start to play itunes, and vice versa. is there a way to disable this.

on a similar note, does anyone know of a program that will easily let me use my apple remote with other apps? again, i'd like to use the remote with spotify, but the play button the remote opens itunes.

any help would be great