FairPlay

FairPlay is digital rights management (DRM) technology developed by Apple to protect digital media downloaded or streamed from its online services.

History
Apple Computer originally developed FairPlay for AAC audio content sold through the iTunes Music Store, which opened in April 2003. This limited playback of the content to Apple devices owned by the original purchaser. This led to criticism accusing Apple of keeping users within its "ecosystem". Apple CEO Steve Jobs was able to convince major record companies to sell their music with a DRM-free option, starting in 2009. FairPlay is also used to protect MP4 video content purchased through the iTunes Store.

At the 2015 Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple introduced specifications for FairPlay Streaming, allowing other platforms to use it to protect their streaming services.