Apple's DRM only allows a consumer to play songs purchased from the ITUNES store on authorized computers. The format of the itunes prevents users from playing the songs using media players or mp3 players that do not read Apple's code. THE DMCA says that Apple can do this and you cannot circumvent it.
HOWEVER, the DMCA does not explicitly prevent circumvention by individual users for Fair Use Purposes.
In our case, we employed TOTAL RECORDER to convert Apple's Itunes to a format that would allow use to listen to the songs on our own personal media players. Had we then distributed these converted song files to friends, family, or anyone else, we would no longer be protected by FAIR USE and we would be subject to the penalties established by the DMCA.
FAIR USE saves the day:
As mentioned above, if you legally purchase digital media like we did here, the doctrine of FAIR USE allows you to convert that media to another format SO LONG AS YOU DON'T SHARE IT WITH OTHER