DRM implications of iCloud Library?

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Level 1

30 points

DRM implications of iCloud Library?

Ecosystem in question:

2012 Mac Mini, Catalina 10.15.7, Music version 1.0.6.10, iPhone XS Max, Apple TV 4K, Apple Music Subscriber

Synopsis:

I have recently enabled 'Sync Library' on both my iPhone and Mac. I understand that if you are a Music Subscriber and you enable 'Sync Library' on the Mac, it then switches on 'iCloud Music Library' and attempts to compare your local library to Apple's database. Anything that's a 'Match' (as in the older iTunes Match) doesn't upload, but anything not available online, *is* uploaded, DRM Free. So the end goal is you have everything, everywhere, in essence. I say 'attempt' because I am now left with a big pile of grey boxes that won't play, but I will gloss over that.

Query:

My main question is, what are the DRM implications of uploaded music that wasn't purchased from Apple? I have a large number of files that I imported into iTunes, spanning several years. I can't remember where all of it came from originally, could be from vinyl, CD, tapes, assorted recordings etc.

If I were to tick 'Publish on profile and in Search' and someone plays a track on Music, and says "Hey, that's my music, how did that get here?". We live in an extremely litigious, petty world and I would like a definitive answer on that, if possible, please? Could that be why some of my content is greyed out? Apple boffins are doing background DRM checks on my uploads?

Posted on Sep 17, 2021 6:30 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Jimzgoldfinch

Level 7

28,393 points

Sep 17, 2021 8:44 AM in response to Igloo

Igloo wrote:

Query:

My main question is, what are the DRM implications of uploaded music that wasn't purchased from Apple? I have a large number of files that I imported into iTunes, spanning several years. I can't remember where all of it came from originally, could be from vinyl, CD, tapes, assorted recordings etc.

DRM is not applied to music uploaded. MP3 and AAC music is uploaded as is but Lossless, AIFF or wav will be transcribed to AAC 256 kbps. This music is uploaded to your own iCloud Music library. No one else will have access to this music.

You should Backup your music on an external drive as a matter of course.

DRM is only applied to music obtained from Apple Music library. If you opt to delete a Matched track and either stream or download lossless version, such tracks will have DRM.

Jim

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Answer 2

turingtest2

Level 10

274,228 points

Sep 17, 2021 8:37 AM in response to Igloo

When Apple Music was first released matched content downloaded to a separate library would arrive with DRM unless you also had a subscription to iTunes Match. Thankfully that limitation was removed so this should no longer be an issue. DRM should only be present on the Apple Music subscription content that you've added over and above what is/was yours before you started. Mismatches are still a possibility so you should retain a complete copy of your library somewhere and, if needed, be prepared to copy the correct version of a song to another computer if you spot a discrepancy. You don't need to worry about the publish on profile and search features, they allow you to "share" playlists in an Apple Music friendly way which allows others to the same lists on Apple Music, but aren't the same as you illegally sharing files. Occasionally corrupt downloads from Apple may repeatedly prompt you to authorise your computer when it is already authorized. Delete such files and redownload. FWIW I believe the download process is more reliable if you turn off the option to allow simultaneous downloads that you can find in the activity widget.

tt2

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Answer 3

Igloo Author

Level 1

30 points

Sep 17, 2021 8:58 AM in response to turingtest2

Many thanks tt2 for taking the time to respond, and for putting my fears to rest.

I'm still getting my head around the whole Music consolidation process. The concept is great, but in practice it's left with me with a bit of a mess. Most of the greyed out content is showing as 'Waiting' (on icloud) under 'Get info' in the Mac library. Additionally, files I definitely purchased from Apple have disappeared, moved/renamed or not showing any apple account or media location information under 'File'. On a more positive note, a lot files I didn't purchase (from Apple) have successfully uploaded, AND even kept the album art/metadata, hurrah!

Oh well, thankfully it's music I'm not THAT bothered about but incomplete libraries boggle my OCD. I don't have the energy to try and track everything down again and hopefully it'll all come good in the end. I've read a library sync can take weeks.

I do indeed have a backup of my entire library on SSD, but in all honesty, unless Apple makes the process a bit less vague/glitchy, I might be forced to sling it all into Plex or something, but I'm loathe to step away from the ecosystem as on the whole, it works well.

Another concern I have is with my music stored on Apple's servers, what if they randomly decide to remove it due to some change in Ts&Cs? I don't have a photographic memory of my library, so I wont know whats vanished!

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Answer 4

Igloo Author

Level 1

30 points

Sep 17, 2021 8:56 AM in response to Jimzgoldfinch

Thanks Jim, and also for responding to my other post.

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DRM implications of iCloud Library?

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