About DRM, licenses, and protected files
Some digital media files, such as songs downloaded from online stores, are encrypted to prevent the files from being unlawfully distributed or shared. Content providers use a technology called Digital Rights Management (DRM), to encrypt the files. During the encryption process, the content provider creates a license which specifies how and when the file can be used.
For example, a content provider could create a license that allows you to play a certain file on your computer, but not on your phone. Or, a license that allows you to play a certain file on your phone, but only for a month, or perhaps only a certain number of times. Files that have licenses associated with them are called protected files.
Multimedia
If you want to copy a protected file from your computer to your phone, use the desktop Media Player to synchronise the file to your phone. This will ensure that the license is copied along with the protected file. In the desktop version of Windows Media Player 10 or later, you can use ActiveSync to automatically copy your audio files, video files, and play lists to your phone every time you connect.
Copy media files using the desktop player
In addition to ActiveSync (page 65), you can use the desktop player to copy media files. Using the desktop player ensures that licenses are copied with protected files.
Make sure that you have Windows Media Player 10 or later versions on your computer. Depending on the version of your desktop player, the procedure to copy files may vary.
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