What's .M4P Format?

.M4P format stands for "Mpeg4 Protected." M4P format files are typically audio files purchased from iTunes that have digital rights management (DRM) encrypted onto them.

Definition of .M4P Format

M4P format is an Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) file format protected by FairPlay digital rights management (DRM), which limits the number of computers that the file can be played on (usually, no more than five). M4P format is primarily obtained as digitally protected music from the Apple iTunes Music Store. The audio is compressed with MPEG-4 technology.

Differences between MP3 and M4P Format

An M4P file extension is usually smaller and has better overall sound quality than a comparable MP3. Most smart phones support this music format in their media players, but most devices still use MP3 files.

Playing M4P Format Files

You can only play M4P files with Apple iTunes software. Furthermore, DRM protection ensures that M4P files will only play on computers authorized to play them. To authorize a computer to play a M4P file, you must use the username and password of the iTunes account that initially downloaded the file.

You can also convert M4P Format to other non-DRM format such as MP3, so you can play the M4P format file. Here is: How to Convert M4P to MP3?

Cracking DRM of M4P Format

"Cracking" the DRM from M4P files is illegal under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. However, it is legal to burn DRM-protected files to CD for personal use. And it is legal to rip that burned CD back to your computer, removing the DRM in the process. Audio quality will degrade slightly through this process, however.

Related:

How to Remove DRM from iTunes?
M4P Conversion Software