"Playing DRM protected m4p(AAC) Apple iTunes files" catch 22

The instructions on Playing DRM protected m4p(AAC) Apple iTunes files seem to be self-defeating...

It says "VLC is able to play M4P files (DRM protected AAC files used by Apple iTunes), provided that you have the user key(s)." But to generate the key, you need to "Play an M4P file with VLC under Windows on a computer which has been authorized using iTunes." So how does one get VLC to play the file the first time? There's no key, so it won't play, but somehow it generates a key.... A few extra words of clarification may be needed.