Strip Zune DRM from Marketplace Songs With FairUse4WM

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=127943' target='_blank'>http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=127943</a><br /><br /></div>Before I post this, I want to state up front that I deeply respect the rights of artists. I don't have in my possession any music <a href="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,10527" target="_blank">that I do not own</a>. When I like a certain song, I buy it. I'm still tending to buy CDs more than digital downloads because DRM is still a hassle. When I buy a song, I want to be able to play that song on any of my computers, any of my devices, anywhere, at any time. The Zune Marketplace is no better than iTunes or MSN Music: it limits how I can use the music that I paid for. Thankfully, that has changed with the release of an update for FairUse4WM. I hate DRM so much that all of my Zune Marketplace music is kept in a separate folder away from the 77 GB of &quot;real&quot; music that I have because I consider DRM'd music to be poisoned.<br /><br /><img border="1" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2007/jd-zune-fairuse4wm.gif" alt="" /><br /><br />I <a href="http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=127943" target="_blank">downloaded the file</a>, followed the instructions, and now I have all of my Zune tracks DRM free! While I see no problem using this tool to remove the DRM on individual songs that you've purchased, it's completely unethical to use it on Zune Pass songs...so don't be a bad boy or girl, only use this on songs you really own, not the songs you're renting.

[Adam Krebs]

I wouldn't have tested the Zune marketplace without looking at the freebies you posted first (though I did re-read the thread to find that he explicitly states that it supports Zune).

EDIT: Tired of the [NoDRM] tag FairUse places before your filenames? Wish there was an easier way, say, a 2-step process? Then look no further than FairUseCommander. The easiest just got easier: Just click "Search for Media Files" and watch as the list fills up with protected songs. Hit the green "Remove DRM" button, and watch those songs become worth something again.


Jason: I feel the same way you do about DRM. I too have a massive MP3/FLAC collection, and feel that DRM songs (whether from iTunes, Zune, Urge, Napster, etc.) are of somehow lesser value. But sometimes the only way to quickly get a song is to buy it DRM'd. I do a lot of audio editing, which the DRM prohibits through its very nature. I stumbled upon this helpful tool after finding I was unable to create a memorial service using music I had purchased through MSN Music on a Windows Movie Maker presentation. I knew right then that the system was broken--I couldn't pretend any longer--Microsoft's own services weren't working together, through no fault of their own. Viodentia has truly freed me from the pains of DRM.

(and yes, when I'm done with the song, I get rid of the DRM version and purchase the clean one--I'm an artist too...)

[priesmeyer]

It's a beautiful day.

I sold my Zune becuase I was forced to choose between one device/one store and the other 3 devices in the house/Urge. But recently, I've been feeling that my Samsung PMC was rightly retired and it simply does not live up to the experience I had with the Zune. This updated app gives me hope becuase I, too, have been a legal music support for several years but when I can't access my legally purchased music 75% of my devices I have a problem with that.

I have hope again.

[grommet]

Regretably, it seems fairuse4wm/drmdbg is primarily used to abuse rental/subscription content and, even, subscription trial memberships. It's fairly obvious if you browse through the many pages of posts about the utility on doom9, for example. :eek: Oh, well.

FYI: drmdbg based decryption did often work on Zune Marketplace content previously, but Microsoft dodged the bullet since it wasn't 100% straight-forward and most couldn't get it to work. I guess that's over now. :p

[julioangelortiz]

I can finally play my Napster-purchased tracks on my Zune. Hooray!

Using this on subscribed tracks = BAD.

But using it on tracks you've purchased? Why not? You've paid the money. Just don't share the tracks. That's why I don't understand why some people got up in arms about how iTunes' DRM-free tracks retained user data. So what? Why worry if you won't share the tracks?