If you’ve taken a strong interest in iTunes, you’re undoubtedly aware that the current version of the program allows you to burn seven duplicate copies of a playlist that contains music purchased from the iTunes Music Store. But you may be wondering what needs to be modified in that playlist in order for you to burn seven additional copies. After breezily telling friends and family that only a minor change was necessary, I decided to zero in on exactly what iTunes wants from you in order for this to happen.
To put the process to the test I downloaded
A Winter’s Night, a compilation of new and old Christmas songs from the Nettwerk label. Setting aside a stack of blank CD-R discs, I shoved one after the other (after each successful burn) into my Power Mac G5’s SuperDrive. As I attempted to burn the fourth iteration of the disc, I saw this reminder: 
After burning seven copies successfully, the eighth try produced this dialog box:
In an attempt to make as minor a modification as possible, I changed the order of the tracks. No go. I then dragged an AIFF file that contained five seconds of silence into the playlist and attempted to burn a disc. Again, no joy as the “That’s just about enough out of you, buddy” dialog box reappeared. Taking the scientific approach, I created silent files in increments of 10 seconds to see when iTunes would relent.
10 seconds.
No.
20 seconds.
Nay.
30 seconds.
Uh uh.
40 seconds.
Fat chance.
50 seconds.
As if….
60 seconds.
Feh.
70 seconds.
Bingo!
Taking a step back I created a 61-second silent file and, glory be, iTunes was happy to burn the disc.
So, Method 1 is to add a track to the playlist that’s at least 61 seconds long.
After listening to the album a couple of times I stumbled upon Method 2. Delete any track (and, in this case, preferably Avril Lavigne’s ill-advised swipe at “ O Holy Night ”) and you’re welcome to burn seven additional copies.
Update: In my subsequent entry, More on iTunes and the 7-burn limit, I address a number of reader questions and comments about this article. Tune in!