Although Windows Media DRM and Rights Management Services (RMS) function in similar ways, many implementation and architectural details differ. This chart shows some examples.
Windows Media DRM
RMS
Type of content protected
Windows Media Format audio and video
Office 2003 documents and e-mails; other formats such as Adobe PDF supported by partners
DRM client distribution
Distributed with media playback application (Windows Media Player or third-party player)
Distributed and installed separately from rendering application
Use license acquisition
DRM client reads URL in content header, retrieves license over Internet; license can also be distributed with content
RMS client retrieves license from known RMS server within organization
Policy information
Distributed in content header or stored on license server
Stored in publishing license that travels with the file
