Basically, when you buy music from iTunes, it comes with a copyright protection called DRM. These DRM-protected songs are locked so that they only work with Apple MP3 players. That means that if you bought a Microsoft Zune, you cannot use iTunes music.

So, what is the solution? You have to burn a CD. When you do this, the DRM is removed (because the music is converted to a non-DRM-compatible media). After you burn the CD, you can rip it to your PC as an MP3 file which no longer has DRM.

1. Insert a CD-R or CD-RW disc into your CD-ROM drive.
2. Burn your playlist to make an "Audio CD". You cannot select the "MP3 CD" option since it requires the DRM protected iTunes music files be converted to (DRM free) MP3.
3. After the audio CD is successfully burned, insert the disc into your CD-ROM drive again. Then you can use iTunes to import the music tracks on the burned disc as MP3 files.

Alternatively, you can use TuneClone http://www.tuneclone.com . TuneClone makes a virtual CD-ROM drive, tricking your PC into believing that you are burning a CD. Therefore, the DRM is removed without wasting a CD. Below is the step by step tutorial using TuneClone and iTunes 9.0.2 to convert M4P to MP3.

Step 1. Download and install TuneClone

TuneClone is compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista (except Vista 64 bit) and Mac OS X 10.5 or above.

(Windows Version | Mac Version)

Step 2. Create a new playlist in iTunes

Create a new playlist, and add the iTunes songs you want to convert to the playlist.

You have purchased lots of music from iTunes Store and want to play your music with other mobile devices, such as MP3 Player, MP4 Player, PSP, Mobile Phone? TuneClone Audio Converter for Mac comes to the rescue! It is the iTunes DRM Removal Software that can help you convert DRM protected iTunes M4P to MP3, M4A to MP3, AAC to MP3 on Apple Mac OS X (including Snow Leopard) with CD quality at high speed.

Below is step by step guide that shows you how to convert DRM protected iTunes M4P to MP3 on Mac OS X with TuneClone Audio Converter for Mac.

Step 1. Download TuneClone Audio Converter for Mac from http://mac.tuneclone.com and run it.

Note: During the startup, a virtual CD burner will be installed, which will be used to convert iTunes music files. The administrator authorization will be needed to install TuneClone virtual CD burner.

Step 2. Open iTunes and burn playlist to TuneClone virtual CD writer

Create a new playlist and add the songs you are going to convert.

Right click the playlist you just created and choose "Burn Playlist to Disc". Or you can click the "Burn Disc" button at the bottom right corner of iTunes interface.

In the pop-up dialog of "Burn Settings", you can make settings as highlighted below:

Note: You need to tick the "Include CD Text" option to perserve the music metadata such as name, artist, album names.

Step 3. Start to burn