The exclamation point icon next to a song in iTunes indicates that the original music file is missing. When you add songs to your iTunes library, iTunes records the location of the original file on your computer. If that file is moved or deleted, iTunes can no longer find it and displays an exclamation point to let you know the link to the original source is broken. The exclamation point serves as a warning that iTunes can no longer verify the existence and integrity of that file.
Downloading vs Streaming
There are some key differences between downloading and streaming music on iTunes. When you download a song or album, you are creating a local copy on your device that you can listen to offline at any time without an internet connection. Downloaded content is stored on your device and counts against your storage capacity. With downloads, you gain full ownership rights to listen whenever you want, but the files contain DRM protection and limits on copying and usage compared to DRM-free music files (Apple, 2022).
In contrast, streaming provides access to content without taking up storage space on your device. Streaming requires an active internet connection to play songs on demand. You do not own streaming files and cannot access them without a subscription. Audio quality can sometimes be lower for streaming depending on the encoding. However, streaming allows access to a huge music catalog without needing to pay for individual downloads (Apple, 2022). Overall, downloading is better for listening offline and owning content, while streaming enables convenient access without using device storage.
(Apple, 2022. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253579017)
Ownership Rights
When you purchase and download a song from iTunes, you are not buying the copyright or master recording rights to the song. Instead, you are purchasing a license that gives you certain usage rights for that song file. As Apple states, “Rights govern the licensing and legal permission for the use and sale of music in specific countries and regions on the iTunes Store. These rights are set by content owners” (https://itunespartner.apple.com/music/support/5222-rights-pricing-basics).
So while you don’t own the actual copyright on the song, purchasing a download gives you ownership of that specific digital music file. You have the right to listen to it, burn it to a CD, copy it to your devices, and more. However, you cannot then distribute copies or recordings of that file without permission from the rights holder.
This is different from streaming, where you don’t own any music files and merely pay for access. With downloads, you pay for and take ownership of the file itself, while the artist/label retains the intellectual property rights.
DRM Protection
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a technology used by Apple to protect copyrighted content sold on the iTunes Store. It attaches restrictions on how users can access and share purchased media.
DRM limits users from copying iTunes music to non-Apple devices or burning songs to a CD more than 7 times. The main purpose is to prevent illegal distribution and piracy of iTunes content. According to Apple’s website, “All songs offered by the iTunes Store come without Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection. These DRM-free songs, called iTunes Plus, have no usage restrictions and customers can play them on any device” (source). However, some older iTunes purchases may still have DRM protections.
The DRM limits the portability and usage of downloaded content. Users cannot freely transfer songs to non-Apple devices. DRM aims to control piracy, but also restricts consumer rights.
What the Exclamation Point Means
The exclamation point that appears next to a song title in iTunes indicates that the downloaded file contains Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection (1). DRM places restrictions on the usage of the downloaded file in order to prevent unauthorized distribution and copying.
When you purchase and download a song from iTunes, DRM is applied to that file. This prevents you from freely copying, sharing, or transferring the song. The exclamation point is a visual indicator that lets you know the download contains DRM (2).
So in summary, the exclamation point next to a song in your iTunes library means that download is protected by DRM technology to control usage rights.
DRM-Free Downloads
In contrast to downloads protected by DRM, songs purchased from the iTunes Store that do not have any usage restrictions are considered DRM-free downloads. Also known as iTunes Plus, these DRM-free songs do not have the exclamation point indicator next to them in your iTunes library. This is because they are not restricted from being copied, transferred to external devices, or burned to a CD (Intro to the iTunes Store).
DRM-free songs give users full ownership rights and flexibility in how they can be used. You can freely copy DRM-free downloads between devices, burn unlimited copies to CDs to play in your car or stereo, and transfer them to an unlimited number of iPods and iPhones. There are no restrictions imposed on DRM-free downloads once purchased.
Burning to CD
DRM (digital rights management) restrictions affect your ability to burn purchased music downloads to CD. Songs downloaded from the iTunes Store are protected with Apple’s FairPlay DRM, which prevents unauthorized copying. According to Apple Support, DRM prevents burning playlists or albums to CD directly from iTunes.
To get around this, you first need to remove DRM from the downloads. Third-party software like TuneFab can strip DRM protection and convert iTunes downloads to unprotected MP3 format. Once DRM is removed, the songs can be freely burned to CD as you wish.
So in summary, the DRM applied to purchases from the iTunes Store prevents direct CD burning. But with the proper software, you can remove FairPlay DRM and regain the ability to burn iTunes downloads to audio CDs.
Copying to Devices
The DRM protection on iTunes downloads restricts how the files can be copied to other devices. iTunes downloads that contain DRM encryption cannot be freely copied or transferred to MP3 players, phones, external hard drives, etc. The DRM ties the downloads specifically to authorized devices via your Apple ID. So you can only copy DRM-protected iTunes purchases to devices logged into the same iTunes account.
Trying to transfer downloads with DRM to a device not authorized through your Apple ID will result in errors. The DRM system is designed to prevent unauthorized sharing and copying of purchased content. So downloading from iTunes with DRM comes at the cost of restricting how you can listen to or transfer those files across devices.
To gain full flexibility in copying downloads to any device, you need DRM-free versions of the songs or videos. iTunes Plus downloads or tracks purchased from other retailers like Amazon MP3 do not contain DRM restrictions for copying. However, most purchases directly from the iTunes store will have DRM applied to limit device usage as a form of copyright protection.
Removing DRM
DRM protected files from iTunes can legally have their DRM restrictions removed through the use of third-party software tools. However, it’s important to only use tools that completely remove DRM without illegally cracking or circumventing it. Some recommended DRM removal tools include:
DVDFab DRM Removal for Apple (source) – This tool can legally remove FairPlay DRM from iTunes videos, music, and books. It does not crack or bypass DRM, but rather removes it entirely.
TuneFab M4V Converter (source) – Another legal option for removing DRM from iTunes files. It removes FairPlay DRM and converts files to common formats like MP4.
Once the DRM is removed with these tools, the files can be freely copied, edited, played on any device, and burned to discs. Just make sure to only use tools that fully remove DRM through legitimate means rather than circumventing protections.
Conclusion
An exclamation point in the corner of iTunes downloads indicates that the file has DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection enabled. This means the media file is restricted in how it can be used, shared, and copied. DRM places limitations on playing, burning, or transferring the downloaded content to protect copyright.
The main purpose of the exclamation point icon is to serve as a visible reminder that you don’t have full ownership rights over DRM-protected downloads. You are essentially licensing the content under certain usage rules. Trying to circumvent these restrictions can result in the file no longer being playable.
DRM places handcuffs on your ability to freely enjoy purchased downloads across all your devices. Removing DRM protection gives you true ownership over your media collection. But this requires jumping through some hoops that not all consumers find worthwhile. The exclamation point represents the tradeoff between convenience and control.