Abstract: A method of operation on a license server comprises sending by the license server, a license, including a confirmation challenge, to a rights manager of a client device. The method of operation further comprises receiving by the license server, a confirmation response from the rights manager of the client device, the confirmation response being transmitted by the rights manager of the client device in accordance with data recovered by the rights manager from the confirmation challenge.

Abstract: A method of operation on a license server comprises sending by the license server, a license, including a confirmation challenge, to a rights manager of a client device. The method of operation further comprises receiving by the license server, a confirmation response from the rights manager of the client device, the confirmation response being transmitted by the rights manager of the client device in accordance with data recovered by the rights manager from the confirmation challenge.

Abstract: A method of operation on a license server comprises sending by the license server, a license, including a confirmation challenge, to a rights manager of a client device. The method of operation further comprises receiving by the license server, a confirmation response from the rights manager of the client device, the confirmation response being transmitted by the rights manager of the client device in accordance with data recovered by the rights manager from the confirmation challenge.

Abstract: Embodiments of techniques for distributing and rendering media content are provided. In response to a request for a first media file, a combined media file is generated having first and second segments that together include data from the first media file and from a second media file. The combined media file is then provided to a player module operable to render only data from the first media file during a first operating mode, and operable to render data from both the first and second media files during a second operating mode. For example, the first media file may be a music file, and the second media file an advertisement. A consumer may play the music portion without special software or a license, but the advertisement will be rendered as well. Alternatively, the consumer may purchase a license and use special playback software to render the music without the advertisement.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for rendering an item of media content includes obtaining a media presentation having a media-content portion and a display-window-configuration component. The display-window-configuration component is recovered from the media presentation and causes a defined display window to be presented contemporaneously with rendering the media content of the media-content portion. And an embodiment of a method for rendering an item of media content having an action-indicator associated with an action includes analyzing the media content to detect the action-indicator and executing the associated action. For example, the action-indicator may be a watermark, which may be visible while an image portion of the media content is displayed.

Abstract: A proxy server manages media-data traffic in a network by leveraging the logical separation between the playlist and media segments in modern adaptive streaming protocols to redefine a media stream from an end client's perspective. In various embodiments, the media stream can be redefined from the client's perspective by dynamically modifying the playlist before the playlist is received by the end client and/or by dynamically modifying requests for media segments before the requests are forwarded to a media-origin server.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for rendering an item of media content includes obtaining a media presentation having a media-content portion and a display-window-configuration component. The display-window-configuration component is recovered from the media presentation and causes a defined display window to be presented contemporaneously with rendering the media content of the media-content portion. And an embodiment of a method for rendering an item of media content having an action-indicator associated with an action includes analyzing the media content to detect the action-indicator and executing the associated action. For example, the action-indicator may be a watermark, which may be visible while an image portion of the media content is displayed.

Abstract: A method, system and article for allowing access to pre-loaded media content on a personal media device. Access is allowed depending upon the presence of a pre-loaded content encryption key on the personal media device. The pre-loaded encryption key is associated with the pre-loaded media content.

Abstract: A method of operation on a license server comprises sending by the license server, a license, including a confirmation challenge, to a rights manager of a client device. The method of operation further comprises receiving by the license server, a confirmation response from the rights manager of the client device, the confirmation response being transmitted by the rights manager of the client device in accordance with data recovered by the rights manager from the confirmation challenge.