How �Dirty� MP3 Files Are A Back Door Into Cloud DRM

“All the big music sellers may have moved to non-DRM MP3 files
long ago, but the watermarking of files with your personal
information continues. Most users who buy music don’t know about
the marking of files, or don’t care. Unless those files are
uploaded to BitTorrent or other P2P networks, there isn’t much to
worry about.

“A list of which music services are selling clean MP3 files
without embedded personal information, and which aren’t, is here.
Apple, LaLa (owned by Apple) and Walmart embed personal
information. Amazon, Napster and the rest have resisted label
pressure to do so.

“A music industry insider who’s asked to remain anonymous writes
to us:

“Hidden in purchased music files from popular stores such as
Apple and Walmart is information to identify the buyer and/or the
transaction.”

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