Strip all DRM from large iTunes library

Hey there.
I'd like to strip every single shred of DRM (Digital rights Management) from my iTunes management, so I can share my library better (I have music purchased by other iTunes accounts, and you need to be authorized to play said music, which is bad for sharing purposes).

So, what is the best program/procedure for doing this?

I've heard that DBpoweramp is good.

I'd also like my library to be converted to .mp3 format, if possible, just for simplicity's sake.

And I don't care if iTunes loses its whole database, because I really need it to rebuild it (it currently thinks there are two of every one file, a problem caused by my recent system rebuild).

Any input is welcome. Keep in mind that my library is not backed up, and I'd be devastated if it got messed up in some way.

I can't offer any DRM help but you should not do anything with it (including playing it) without a backup. External hard drives are cheap. And even though they are not as handy, blank DVD's/CDs are cheap. If you place any value at all on your collection, please don't take this lightly.

If this sounds preachy, it is. Hard drives die everyday. If yours dies, you may not be able to salvage anything from it. Which would be a terrible thing to go through... :(

Unfortunately we can't offer any help in removing DRM since that would contravene our site policy of not offering any info that could contravene copyright laws but HAN's advice of backing up a valuable collection of music files is on the mark.

I will back up my music library, I just haven't configured the backup utility yet, because of my recent system rebuild.

And I'm not saying you're wrong, Fink, but there are plenty of legitimate reasons for stripping DRM. I actually just want to share my music among my family, but I have previously gotten music from other people that bought it from iTunes, so my family can't access that music.

But whatever, I'll take it to another forum. Thanks for the advice.