Playing Packaged Windows Media Files

Playing Packaged Windows Media Files

Consumers use a player, such as Microsoft Windows Media Player version 7 or later, to acquire licenses and play packaged files. These players are applications based on Windows Media Format SDK and contain a digital rights management (DRM) component, which encrypts and decrypts the content and enforces the rights in licenses. When a player application is revoked or receives a security upgrade, it is the DRM component that is affected.

Consumers can acquire packaged Windows Media files in various ways. They can download Windows Media files directly from a Web site, copy them from friends, copy them from a CD, and so forth. When playing a packaged Windows Media file, the player checks if the consumer has a valid license to play the file:

• If a valid license is not found on the consumer's computer, the player initiates the license acquisition process, which is defined by the license issuer. For example, the consumer might be required to make a payment. Or, the license issuer might issue a license silently so the consumer is unaware of the process. After a license is issued, consumers can play the Windows Media file according to the terms in the license.
• If a valid license is found on the consumer's computer, the consumer can play the Windows Media file according to the terms in the license.

Consumers can play packaged Windows Media files in several ways. Depending on the rights included in their licenses, consumers can:

• Play Windows Media files on a personal computer, for example, using Windows Media Player.
• Copy Windows Media files to a portable device and play them.
• Copy Windows Media files to portable media , then play them on a computer or portable device.

See Also

• Licensing Packaged Files
• Packaging Windows Media Files
• Understanding How Windows Media Rights Manager Works

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