apple itunes Plus is here. I recommend that you run away. Fast.

It was announced with a big bang and the promise of free and open music. See Open Format Files Rate a 30% Premium.

It went downhill from there. First, you're asked to pay a premium for 256 kbps files that sound only marginally better than typical 128 kbps files.

Then we learned that the non-DRM files were proprietary - Open iTunes Files are not MP3.

Now it turns out that the files are encoded with your name and email address (as are regular secured iTunes files).

This is worse than DRM. At least you knew you were fucked with secured files that you couldn't take with you, use on other devices, and didn't really own.

But Apple and EMI try to fool you with iTunes Plus. Instead of protecting their music by securing it in the open, they do it by threatening your privacy in the dark.

Tagging files with your personal info that are relatively portable is like burning your name and phone number on a CD for every buyer, store, and visitor to see. It's even worse in the digital world because Apple and EMI, and anyone else who cracks the code, can track you all over the Internet and P2P networks.

"Plus" is a big warning not to sell, send, or share that file with a friend. The file could end up anywhere. By buying it you not only risk your privacy, you may also open yourself to a lawsuit, regardless of your intent and the facts of any transfer.

That's Apple Plus's trust and respect for you. And the music industry wonders why an entire generation of music fans HATES them?

Related links - EFF1, EFF2, EFF3, EFF4, MTV