A digital rights management (DRM) system from Microsoft for securing digital content and distributing it over the Internet. Software components allow for publishing the files in an encrypted format, configuring and managing the site and issuing licenses. Starting with Version 6.2, Windows Media Player checks for secured files before playing them. If the files are not authorized by a license in the computer, the Player sends the user to the appropriate website for registration.
The media files and the licenses that allow them to be played are separate. The licenses are assigned to the computer, not the content. If the content is distributed to someone else, it cannot be played on another machine without a valid license on that machine.
Rights Manager can be used for various business models, including subscriptions, rentals and demos. For example, a song title might be valid as long as a subscription is maintained, or it could be set up to expire after playing a certain number of times or on a specific date. See
Windows Media Player and
Windows Media.