Microsoft's DRM Technologies

Today, Microsoft offers two digital rights management (DRM) technologies: Windows Media DRM for protecting digital audio and video files, and Windows Rights Management Services for protecting material such as documents and e-mail messages in the enterprise. Although based on different technology and intended for different audiences, the two products perform essentially the same function and work in similar ways.

Windows Media DRM

Introduced in 2000 as part of Windows Media 7, Windows Media DRM allows content owners, such as record companies and movie studios, and distributors, such as online music stores, to define what end users can do with digital media content—for example, view a movie a certain number of times before it expires or listen to a song from a limited number of client devices (such as their PC and up to two portable music players). Content owners and distributors use tools supplied as part of a Windows Media SDK to define rights for material, then distribute the content and licenses to end users through Windows Media Services, a component of Windows Server. The technology is overseen by the Digital Media Division, part of the Windows Client business unit.