Macworld: Apple Music and a New Computer ...

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8 Replies Last post: May 7, 2003 1:17 PM by Philbert

orsino4

27 posts since
Jan 17, 2002

May 5, 2003 10:25 AM

Apple Music and a New Computer

What happens to music purchased today when I buy a new Mac two or three years from now? Can I tranfer the song from the old computer to the new computer? Or do I have to re-purchase the songs for the new computer?

capoeira20

3 posts since
May 4, 2003

1. May 5, 2003 10:36 AM

in response to: orsino4

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

You can transfer the songs to up to 3 different computers. In other words, no, you don't have to buy the songs again. Apple has you covered, so your $$ are spent the right way, and not repeatedly.

ftaok

1,069 posts since
Jun 21, 2001

2. May 5, 2003 10:40 AM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

Exactly how does Apple enforce the "3 computer" policy? Let's say I purchase a song on my iBook. Later, I want to transfer the song to my newly purchased PowerMac. I burn a data CD with the song on it and copy it onto my PowerMac. OK, so my PowerMac is computer number 2.

Let's say that I've won the lottery and I can afford a Powerbook as well. Now couldn't I take that CD that I just burned and use that to put the song onto my Powerbook? And wouldn't that also be computer number 2?

This is very intriguing. I wonder how this stuff really works.

henebry

19 posts since
Mar 12, 2003

3. May 5, 2003 1:39 PM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

It works in the following way: you can put the music files on as many computers as you like. But they will only play on up to three computers. When you try to play a music file for the first time on a new computer, it contacts the apple music store to check that you haven't already authorized three computers. Assuming you've still a slot, you're set to go.

Apple explains all this in the iTunes help files.

C.H.

Ronaldinho

426 posts since
May 12, 2001

4. May 5, 2003 7:24 PM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

You can also de-authorize a computer when you retire it.

Or, you can burn it to a music CD and re-rip it, which will free you from the DRM entirely.

dsaponaro

97 posts since
Mar 23, 2001

5. May 5, 2003 10:35 PM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

OK What about "Users"? Can I Copy a song to an infinate number of users (Lets say on the same computer)and it will still play or can only three users play the song?

dsaponaro@mac.com

ftaok

1,069 posts since
Jun 21, 2001

6. May 7, 2003 5:05 AM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

Ahh, that makes sense. So Apple needs to keep a record of every song that a certain user purchases. If they have this information, why can't I download the same song again (for free) if I accidentally erase the file and don't have a back-up. I guess it's a hassle for Apple to allow that. Oh well, I should back-up more often.

Thanks for the info.

icerabbit

1,008 posts since
Mar 28, 2002

7. May 7, 2003 12:45 PM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

As far as I can tell the authorisation is machine based; using the network card 's ethernet address, which is unique per machine.

I'm happy they'll let you de-authorize machines as when you have 2 older macs and you get a new one you're already at the limit of 3! Thanks for that piece of info.

One thing comes to mind: does local playing of a purchased file then mean your computer needs to have internet access to play it? Just curious on how your itunes knows you can play it on your machine. Guess I should RTFM ...

icerabbit

PM G5 DP 2.5 - G4 Cube - G3 iMac - iPod 4G & 5.5G

Philbert

2,358 posts since
Jun 11, 2001

8. May 7, 2003 1:17 PM

Re: Apple Music and a New Computer

You only need to connect to Apple the first time you authorize a machine for playing purchased music. After that, no need to connect to play.

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May 5, 2003 10:25 AM

Apple Music and a New Computer

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