Backup your iTunes purchases

what is the best way to backup the music folder. I am using the windows os. Can I just backup the itunes directory and if the system crashes just restore that ditrectory or do I have to create a new playlist...etc...??

You're not buying the file, you're buying a license to the content of the file, as the file is not transferable and the license is perpetual and as Apple manages the contract between the licensee and the user through an interface that shows a transaction for the license, i.e proof of purchase, and as Apple can recind the license for any track downloaded and used via iTunes, I believe Apple has a duty to allow you to access any of the content previously licensed.

If you have an iPod (and you're syncing your entire iTunes music collection) this is all kinda moot, isn't it? I realize that not all of us buying music from the iTMS have an iPod. But I'll bet most of us do.

Anyway, I backup my home folder nightly. If you have files on your hard drive that you cannot easily replace, then you should be backing up - iTMS music files or not.

While it would be nice for Apple to provide a new copy of your songs if you lose them, I actually asked an iTMS employee about this and got the real reason.

Basically, the RIAA won't let them. The way the RIAA sees it, each time you download the track, you're getting a separate product. You haven't bought that song, you've bought a single *copy* of that song, and if you lose that copy, you have to buy a new one. Yes it's ridiculous and stupid, but that's what I've come to expect from the RIAA.

Do you really thing that Apple has a database with over 1 billion records, and even if they do, do you really think that they are going to keep this ad infinitum? the data only has a value for a certain amount of time.

What if you want to redownload it in 10 years, should they still provide the service then?

Bottom line, are you willing to trust them, or do you want to make sure and take responsibility yourself?

Back your Data up

Apple should allow re-downloading of purchased music the same way any good software developer allows me to re-download software I have purchased. They have their DRM in place, enable me to auhtorize 5 computers to use that file, and in principle should allow me to download that file (or files) to each authorized computer.
It's BS that they're "backing up my stuff." They have the files (one copy fthat supplies every person who buys a license, basically), so they're not storing anything for anyone.
When one of my downloaded software purchases gets wiped out, I can always re-download it. In fact, most software developers even will resend me my reg code if I lose it.
I backup all my stuff, but it's total BS that Apple doesn't allow re-downloads. It's going to bite them back one day. After enough people lose music, they will start buying CDs again, just like Dave Winer described recently. So they're either going to stifle the business growth, or I predict, someday, they will have to change this practice.

i bought half-life 2 via steam, and so far ive downloaded it three times. it would be hard for apple to allow this with itunes aswell, so why not? and dont go make any comparisons to CDs, we're only talking bandwidth here..

Yes, backing up can be difficult. Especially attempting to backup a iTunes library of 19,653 songs.

The only reasonable method would be another HDD, stored off-site, making updates to said backup difficult, too.

While it's true that backing up is something that everyone should be in the habit of doing, backing up music (and photos, for that matter) is more problematic than the typical backup of a "Documents" folder.

I backup DAILY to both an external hard drive AND to an online service (BackJack - if you haven't tried them, you should... they rock). However, backing up to an external drive attached to your Mac leaves you vulnerable to catastrophe (given recent natural events from Katrina to earthquakes, do you really think that it's that unlikely??). If your Mac dies in a natural disaster your hard drive backup probably will, too.

That said, the only real viable solution for those of us who fit the "backup paranoids" description (I proudly count myself amongst them) is an online/off-site service. These services charge by the amount of storage space and if you're trying to backup your music (why stop at only purchased music... do you really want to rip all of your CDs into iTunes all over again?) the cost becomes prohibitive.

In short, yes, it's everyone's responsibility to backup. However, backing up huge music files/folders represents a unique challenge. I suggest that Apple allow ONE "restoration" download of any song you've purchased so that you know you're covered in the event of absolute emergency. This eliminates the potential abuse factor while accommodating those that are well-intended but truly need some help.

The loss of any property, whether it is physical or digital, should be covered by property insurance not by the original vendor.

For 99 you should be guaranteed a functional file. Nothing more. If you want more either pay for insurance or pay to download again, whichever costs less.

And if it's not already covered by our State Farm and Prudential policies, then there's a business opportunity here. Any takers?