Anger over DRM-free iTunes tracks (BBC) {contain E-MAIL ADDRESS ?!?}

[eppur_se_muova]

The launch of music tracks free of digital locks on iTunes has been overshadowed by the discovery that they contain data about who bought them.

Some fear this data could be used to identify the owner of the tracks if they turn up on file-sharing sites.

The tracks from record company EMI cost more and are of a better quality than standard iTunes songs.

Apple has yet to comment on what it plans to do with the information embedded in the music files.
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News site Ars Technica was among the first to discover that downloaded tracks free of Fairplay have embedded within them the full name and account information, including e-mail address, of who bought them.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6711215.stm

[file83]

1. Ahaaa....I feel bad for the poor fool who shares their entire collection

on a peer-to-peer file sharing network.

Once their files are out there, it's only a matter of time before they've got a lawsuit on their hands.

[Kagemusha]

2. Had to be a catch somewhere.

Just a matter of what it was.

[AndyTiedye]

3. What's The Problem With This?

I have a problem with most DRM as it impairs our ability to enjoy the fair use we are paying for.
This does not.
If you share it with your friends, they probably have your email address anyway.
If you share it with the world, well, you aren't supposed to be doing that.

[hobbit709]

4. What if someone stole your ipod?

Do you want your account information available?

[gravity]

5. How's that any different if someone stole your laptap, cell phone, or PDA

[hobbit709]

6. I know what's on those

because I remove that info. Personal info I keep in the safest, most secure databank I have-inside my own skull.

[Prophet 451]

9. your iPod is more likely to get stolen

Cellphones are traceable due to their nature, laptops aren't easy to steal without someone noticing. PDA is a fair comparison.

Personally, I'll just stick to using MP3 format.

[NYCGirl]

7. You can't USE the account without a password, you know. NT

[IChing]

8. It is bullshit here is what you do.

Step one: In your iTunes preferences, under the advanced tab, choose to import your tracks as Apple Lossless.
Step two: Highlight one of your shiny new DRM-free tracks
Step three: Click the Advanced tab in the menu and select "Convert Selection to Apple Lossless"

Bang. You're done. No quality loss, no iTunes account info. You can verify that your ID has been stripped using the Get Info command, or via the Unix grep solution that TUAW suggests above.