Not that I can use this–yet–but someone has figured out a dead-easy way to make any audio file into a ringtone. Just use an AAC file (convert it to AAC using iTunes if it’s not AAC originally), change the extension to “.m4r” and add it to the iTunes library (if the file was there before, you have to remove it at least temporarily). ITunes will see it as a ringtone.

Seems rather too easy, as if this were an oversight by Apple. Probably they’ll have closed this loophole up by the time I get an iPhone… but I’m pretty sure that there will always be a way to add ringtones for free; it’s too popular a hack not to happen.

Apparently the file cannot be bigger than 3.1 MB. Of course, before you convert the file to an AAC, you can use an audio editing program like Audacity (version 1.3 can import AAC files directly) to edit it down to whatever you like.

NOTE: Apple moved fast. 48 hours after the trick was discovered, Apple closed the loophole. But other hacks still work.

ANOTHER NOTE: That didn’t take long either–someone found another easy workaround to Apple’s block for the original workaround. Just do the process as described above, but after importing the file into iTunes, change the file extension again from “m4r” to “m4a.” That’s it. At least, that’s it until Apple applies yet another block.

Update: Engadget has an article discussing the legality of making your own ringtones. In essence: iTS downloads are a no-no, but CD tracks or original audio is OK; but whatever the legalities, nobody’s going to bother you about it unless you start selling or distributing copyrighted material.

An interesting piece of info from the article: the RIAA fought to win a decision from the copyright office that allowed them to sell ringtones separately as if they were derivative works, but that they didn’t have to pay the artists as if they were derivative works. In essence–they get to sell the songs in a new market without giving a penny to the artists.

Because, as the RIAA keeps on saying, they care so much about the artists getting cheated out of their income.