How to remove music from itunes

eeprom wrote:
Hello,
I would like to take all of my music out of itunes format so that I can play it on any mp3 device, not just the ipod. Can someone explain how to do this?

First verify the format the song is in. If it is not already in MP3 format, you can use iTunes to convert it by following the article iTunes: How to convert a song to a different file format.

By the way, iTunes can play MP3s, so you do not need to "remove" it from iTunes.

Message was edited by: ed2345

This is eeprom. My account was disabled, probably due to my previous post. Anyway, I checked the link recommended and it says that any music bought from itunes cannot be converted. I have quite a few dollars invested in this music and now that I paid for it I would like to start owning it. If there is a third party software which can allow me to run my itunes purchases on other computers, I'd sure appreciate knowing about it.

thanks,
eeprom

My account was disabled, probably due to my previous post.

Very doubtful that is why it was disabled. More likely you forgot your password and entered it too many times.

I checked the link recommended and it says that any music bought from itunes cannot be converted

Actually it says, "Note: Some purchased songs are encoded using a protected AAC format that prevents them from being converted"

Anything you purchased after April 2009 can be converted.
If a song has DRM (most, but not all, songs purchased before April 2009 do have DRM), you can burn it to an audio CD then use it like any other audio CD in iTunes.
If it shows as Protected AAC in iTunes, it has DRM. If it shows as Purchased AAC, it does not have DRM.

I have quite a few dollars invested in this music and now that I paid for it I would like to start owning it.

You don't own it. You have a license to use it in accordance with that license, same as if you purchase a CD.

If there is a third party software which can allow me to run my itunes purchases on other computers,

You can use iTunes on other computers.
Most music player applications will already play AAC (iTunes store songs).
If they contain DRM, you will need to use iTunes or you can burn them tt an audio CD songs.

I disagree that I have the right to use the music, and this is exactly why I am converting all my music to mp3s. I have the right to use my music only as Apple sees as appropriate. This is very different than owning a CD, or any other physical medium. If I buy a CD from the store, it is mine, to use in any way I see appropriate. I do not have to maintain a relationship with that store in order to continue using my CD. I do not have to keep a specific hardware or software in order to play that music. If I get a new CD player, I don't have to ask for the store's approval to play that CD on my new player. If I lend the CD to a friend, I don't have to inform ask the store to approve my friend to listen to the CD. It is an easy argument to assume that all unapproved uses of the music is somehow copyright infringement, and that Apple's interest is to protect the artist. Apple benefits immensely by being able to maintain control over the music that you paid for. It takes considerable effort to wrestle control of my music away from Apple. I am learning this right now.

I disagree that I have the right to use the music

Then delete it if you don't have a right to use it.

If I buy a CD from the store, it is mine, to use in any way I see appropriate.

No you don't.
You can't burn a 100 CDs and sell them. as your own work.
You can't make a commercial movie and use that music.

Like I said, it is an easy argument to assume that all unapproved uses are copyright infringement. There are plenty of appropriate uses which are not acceptable by Apple.

There are plenty of appropriate uses which are not acceptable by Apple.

Okay.
I was not arguing that point.
You wrote, "If I buy a CD from the store, it is mine, to use in any way I see appropriate."
This is not a true statement.

I understand your point which is that I do not have the legal right to misuse the product. This is true. But the fact is that I actually can (as in I have the choice) use that CD any way I want. Because I control my personal use of that product, I have the personal choice of acting responsibly or irresponsibly. With itunes I don't have that choice. In my experience, the iTunes control of my music has never stopped me from doing anything illegal, as I wouldn't do that anyway. But it has inconvenienced me numerous times in trying to show someone a new song, or in changing over computers.

With itunes I don't have that choice

Why not?
Any music purchased since April of 2009 does not have DRM. You aren't "linked" to the store at all.