Abstract: A copyright protection method and apparatus employ a first protection scheme within a single authorized domain, in which all interfaces are protected with digital rights management system, and employ a second protection scheme for use in inter-domain file transfers. The method and apparatus employ a third protection scheme for external outputs not protected by a digital rights management system.

Abstract: A copyright protection method (150) and apparatus (190) employs (151) a first protection scheme (160) within a single authorized domain (195), in which all interfaces (194a-c) are protected with digital rights management system and employs (152) a second protection scheme (170) for use in inter-domain file transfers. The method (150) and apparatus (190) may employ (153) a third protection scheme (180) for external outputs (197a-c) not protected by a digital rights management system. The first protection scheme (160) includes specifying (161) whether a copy of files is allowed to be stored anywhere within the single authorized domain; specifying (162) whether files may be stored only on specific devices within the single authorized domain; or specifying (163) how many simultaneous rendering devices are permitted when rendering files.