Why is everyone calling it 'DRM' version?!

[Paco II]

I am puzzled why people are referring to offline versions of Apple Music as having DRM. This association with how iTunes used to sell music is totally incorrect. These tracks are no different than Spotify's offline version or Rdio's. It's like people are actively trying to create another '-gate'.

 

[penajmz]

They are DRM versions because you do not own them. If you were to stop paying for Apple Music they will all go away.

 

[Paco II]

As it is with all streaming services. Apple Music is not 'bringing back' DRM as has been posted in other threads. Apple Music is not purchased tracks that now have DRM again. It's just an offline version from a streaming service.

They are DRM versions because you do not own them. If you were to stop paying for Apple Music they will all go away.

 

[Paco II]

Taken from another thread but worth spreading around:

http://m.imore.com/no-apple-not-adding-drm-songs-your-mac-you-already-own

 

[netnothing]

I am puzzled why people are referring to offline versions of Apple Music as having DRM. This association with how iTunes used to sell music is totally incorrect. These tracks are no different than Spotify's offline version or Rdio's. It's like people are actively trying to create another '-gate'.

Where people are getting confused (because Apple did a crappy job of explaining) is that if you have on your computer a MP3 that you own and it gets "Matched" to the track in Apple Music (meaning it wasn't uploaded).....if you delete that local copy (which you own) and download the cloud copy, you get a DRM track back. This is how it works if you don't have iTunes Match.

I think people assumed that Apple Music included iTunes Match.....but really it doesn't. Yes, it will match and upload tracks.....but you don't get DRM free tracks back.

-Kevin

 

[penajmz]

I really don't understand what the confusion is... The songs you bought or added via iTunes Match are yours, no DRM. Songs added from Apple Music to your library = DRM. It's simple.

Some people thought your songs would become DRM'd but that's not the case.

 

[netnothing]

Some people thought your songs would become DRM'd but that's not the case.

Yes, they can become DRM'd if you don't subscribe to iTunes Match. No Apple doesn't replace the local copy with DRM....but if you delete the local copy, thinking Apple is backing up the file, you don't get a non-DRM version back from Apple Music....you get a copy that has DRM.

Subscribe to iTunes Match and this all goes away.

-Kevin

 

[eyeseeyou]

This is why I might be sticking with rdio for $3.99 a month + iTunes Match.

I just want the unlimited skips and curated playlists. I can live with the 25 downloads per day for that price.

 

[Paco II]

But why did anyone think Apple Music was backing up their files. That is definitely one thing they never said and there was no reason to assume it. It boggles the mind that people think that.

Yes, they can become DRM'd if you don't subscribe to iTunes Match. No Apple doesn't replace the local copy with DRM....but if you delete the local copy, thinking Apple is backing up the file, you don't get a non-DRM version back from Apple Music....you get a copy that has DRM.

Subscribe to iTunes Match and this all goes away.

-Kevin

 

[penajmz]

Yes, they can become DRM'd if you don't subscribe to iTunes Match. No Apple doesn't replace the local copy with DRM....but if you delete the local copy, thinking Apple is backing up the file, you don't get a non-DRM version back from Apple Music....you get a copy that has DRM.

Subscribe to iTunes Match and this all goes away.

-Kevin

Reason why I'll be keeping my iTunes Match subscription.

 

[netnothing]

But why did anyone think Apple Music was backing up their files. That is definitely one thing they never said and there was no reason to assume it. It boggles the mind that people think that.

It's confusing because Apple doesn't really make it clear. They don't say one way or the other.....so it's up to people guessing.

I think people just assumed that it worked like iTunes Match......but it doesn't. Apple only says "Yes. Apple Music and iTunes Match are independent but complementary."....but since day one people have been saying what the hell does that mean?!?? ;-) People initially thought that iTunes Match was included in Apple Music, so if you had Apple Music, you don't need Match....but if you don't want Apple Music, Match is still available.

Clearly now we know.....yes Apple Music allows access to your entire library...but don't delete your originals....you'll never get them back.

-Kevin

 

[netnothing]

Reason why I'll be keeping my iTunes Match subscription.

Same here! Although Apple couldn't make it anymore confusing.....they basically removed all references from iTunes for Match. Not even sure how one would subscribe if they weren't already!!

-Kevin

 

[Blujelly]

I was more surprised when I spoke to Apple and they confirmed that Apple Music does exactly the same as ITunes Match!

LUCKILY my iTunes library hasn't gone to hell yet..... and the help from everyone on here and threads has cleared a lot up which means i'll be keeping both for the mean time.

I'm just surprised what Apple said to me

 

[Paco II]

Words to live by in the digital age. One should always have backups of anything of value or importance.

Clearly now we know.....yes Apple Music allows access to your entire library...but don't delete your originals....you'll never get them back.

 

[Paco II]

I'm sorry, but this sounds like more mis-information. Did Apple actually say it is 'exactly' the same as iTunes Match? That seems unlikely, or possibly that Apple employee was clueless.

I was more surprised when I spoke to Apple and they confirmed that Apple Music does exactly the same as ITunes Match!

LUCKILY my iTunes library hasn't gone to hell yet..... and the help from everyone on here and threads has cleared a lot up which means i'll be keeping both for the mean time.

I'm just surprised what Apple said to me

 

[Rigby]

Same here! Although Apple couldn't make it anymore confusing.....they basically removed all references from iTunes for Match. Not even sure how one would subscribe if they weren't already!!

If you don't have iTunes Match, there is an entry in the Account menu that leads to a sign-up page (there's also an Apple Music entry as long as you haven't signed up for that).

I agree though that Apple should be *much* clearer about how Match and Apple Music relate. As it is, they seem to think it's OK that people have to experiment to find out what the services they paid for actually do.

 

[netnothing]

I'm sorry, but this sounds like more mis-information. Did Apple actually say it is 'exactly' the same as iTunes Match? That seems unlikely, or possibly that Apple employee was clueless.

Clueless.....absolutely.

There have been multiple people that have posted saying they talked to Apple and got the same response. It's crazy that even Apple employees in support don't know the full details.

Everyone needs to reference this post on iMore to fully understand:
http://www.imore.com/no-apple-not-adding-drm-songs-your-mac-you-already-own

And BACKUP BACKUP BACKUP. Don't ever rely on anything Apple cloud to keep backups. Even iTunes Match sends incorrect files back (clean versions, other versions etc).

-Kevin

 

[Blujelly]

I'm sorry, but this sounds like more mis-information. Did Apple actually say it is 'exactly' the same as iTunes Match? That seems unlikely, or possibly that Apple employee was clueless.

they said its exactly the same so I started to question her about DRM etc to which she got extremely quite, at this point I realized she wasn't helpful and decided to get off the phone.

 

[netnothing]

If you don't have iTunes Match, there is an entry in the Account menu that leads to a sign-up page (there's also an Apple Music entry as long as you haven't signed up for that).

I agree though that Apple should be *much* clearer about how Match and Apple Music relate. As it is, they seem to think it's OK that people have to experiment to find out what the services they paid for actually do.

Good to know thanks.

Apple really needs to just do a simple checklist chart that explains the services and what you get. Seems to me if they just did that with a simple line:

Ability to download DRM free tracks (of Music you own): Apple Music (no check) | Apple Music w/ iTunes Match (check) | iTunes Match (check)

Then people would understand.

-Kevin

 

[Paco II]

Your chart would need to clarify that it is only referring to music you already own Even with iTunes Match, if it's not already in your library it is an offline Apple Music track, not a downloaded file.

Good to know thanks.

Apple really needs to just do a simple checklist chart that explains the services and what you get. Seems to me if they just did that with a simple line:

Ability to download DRM free tracks: Apple Music (no check) | Apple Music w/ iTunes Match (check) | iTunes Match (check)

Then people would understand.

-Kevin

 

[netnothing]

Your chart would need to clarify that it is only referring to music you already own Even with iTunes Match, if it's not already in your library it is an offline Apple Music track, not a downloaded file.

Changed! ;-)

Also....I think it must be a bug where people who are Match subscribers have turned on iCloud Music library with no local files and suddenly they are getting DRM files back. Apple needs to fix that. One of the main reasons for Match for some is the ability to delete local copies.

-Kevin

 

[Paco II]

I have not had that experience. I maintain a separate library for iTunes Match. I add files, they get synced, then I delete the local copy. I did a test of downloading a handful of tracks (that I matched) and they all downloaded as standard m4a tracks.

Changed! ;-)

Also....I think it must be a bug where people who are Match subscribers have turned on iCloud Music library with no local files and suddenly they are getting DRM files back. Apple needs to fix that. One of the main reasons for Match for some is the ability to delete local copies.

-Kevin

 

[netnothing]

I have not had that experience. I maintain a separate library for iTunes Match. I add files, they get synced, then I delete the local copy. I did a test of downloading a handful of tracks (that I matched) and they all downloaded as standard m4a tracks.

I haven't either, but that's because I had all my music locally when I upgraded.

From this post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...it-yet-read-this.1896651/page-3#post-21537511

However, something very important... Even if you bought the song, you must have the song download before activating iCloud Music Library. If you have the song in the cloud only, and not downloaded, it won't recognize that you already own it, even though you do.

-Kevin

 

[Paco II]

"However, something very important... Even if you bought the song, you must have the song download before activating iCloud Music Library. If you have the song in the cloud only, and not downloaded, it won't recognize that you already own it, even though you do. "

That statement from that post is incorrect, based on my own experience. But perhaps it is because I was already using iTunes Match?

I haven't either, but that's because I had all my music locally when I upgraded.

From this post:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...it-yet-read-this.1896651/page-3#post-21537511

-Kevin

 

[netnothing]

"However, something very important... Even if you bought the song, you must have the song download before activating iCloud Music Library. If you have the song in the cloud only, and not downloaded, it won't recognize that you already own it, even though you do. "

That statement from that post is incorrect, based on my own experience. But perhaps it is because I was already using iTunes Match?

I'm not sure....as it didn't occur for me. However, I started Apple Music from an iOS device, so when iTunes was upgraded.....it did everything for me.


-Kevin