Active Internet DRM™ ( How it works ) When a consumer acquires an encrypted media file from a Web site, he or she must also acquire a license that contains a key to “unlock” the file before the content can be played.     Sell Media Film Music Content owners can easily set these licenses and keys in motion by protecting their content files with Active Internet DRM™ Manager and then distributing the content to consumers. The following illustration shows how content is protected, distributed, and used with Active Internet's DRM Manager: Active Internet's DRM™ technology is based on a client-server architecture. Active Internet's DRM Manager lets content providers deliver songs, videos, and other digital media content over the Internet in a protected, encrypted file format. Active Internet's DRM Manager helps protect digital media (such as songs and videos) by packaging digital media files. A packaged media file contains a version of a media file that has been encrypted and locked with a "key." This packaged file is also bundled with additional information from the content provider. The result is a packaged media file that can only be played by a person who has obtained a license. The Active Internet's DRM Manager process is as follows: Packaging Active Internet's DRM Manager packages the digital media file. The packaged media file has been encrypted and locked with a "key." This key is stored in an encrypted license, which is distributed separately. Other information is added to the media file, such as the URL where the license can be acquired. This packaged digital media file is saved in Windows Media Audio format (with a .wma file name extension) or Windows Media Video format (with a .wmv file name extension). Distribution The packaged file can be placed on a Web site for download, placed on a media server for streaming, distributed on a CD, or e-mailed to consumers. Active Internet's DRM Manager permits consumers to send copy-protected digital media files to their friends, as well. Establishing a License Server The content provider chooses a license clearing house that stores the specific rights or rules of the license and implements the Active Internet's DRM Manager license services. The role of the clearing house is to authenticate the consumer's request for a license. Digital media files and licenses are distributed and stored separately, making it easier to manage the entire system. License Acquisition To play a packaged digital media file, the consumer must first acquire a license key to unlock the file. The process of acquiring a license begins automatically when the consumer attempts to acquire the protected content, acquires a predelivered license, or plays the file for the first time. Active Internet's DRM Manager either sends the consumer to a registration page where information is requested or payment is required, or "silently" retrieves a license from a clearing house. Playing the Media File To play the digital media file, the consumer needs a media player that supports Active Internet's DRM Manager. The consumer can then play the digital media file according to the rules or rights that are included in the license. Licenses can have different rights, such as start times and dates, duration, and counted operations. For instance, default rights may allow the consumer to play the digital media file on a specific computer and copy the file to a portable device. Licenses, however, are not transferable. If a consumer sends a packaged digital media file to a friend, this friend must acquire his or her own license to play the file. This PC-by-PC licensing scheme ensures that the packaged digital media file can only be played by the computer that has been granted the license key for that file.