iTunes, Apps and iPods

[mattjax05]

I'm just getting started with iTunes and was wondering if there was anything stopping more than one iPod using the same purchased apps?

I understand you need to authorise your computer to transfer purchased content from the iPod but once it's transferred can you then sync it to another iPod say a friends? Or is that against the rules?

Matt

 

[professorhat]

There is a limit to the number of iPod Touches / iPhones you can have registered to the same iTunes instance (I think it's five), but any registered to the same instance of iTunes can share the same apps. (EDIT - my bad, a little investigation seems to indicate you can sync as many iPods / iPhones with one version of iTunes as you like)

Transferring apps to a friend's iPod would require them to register their device with your iTunes meaning it would wipe whatever they had already on their Touch / iPhone. They could then only sync with your iTunes, not their own (without wiping again and losing anything they got from you). This is perfectly legal e.g. my friend and his wife both have an iPod Touch and they are registered with the same iTunes and can therefore share any apps and music they purchase

However, circumventing this so that a friend with his own iTunes instance can get access to your purchased music / apps is illegal (for good reason) and shouldn't be done.

 

[mattjax05]

Thanks professorhat, that explains a great deal.

I guess it's why iTunes takes the 'all or nothing' approach to new music/apps when syncing.