How to Determine Whether a Media File is Copy Protected

DRM, digital rights management, is a technology used by content providers to control how digital media files are used and distributed. A file protected with DRM requires that media usage rights be delivered with the file. These rights define how the protected file can be used. For example, a right may give permissions to play the file on your computer, burn the file to an audio CD, or sync the file to a portable device. Each right can have certain qualities, such as:

• The right to play a file on your computer an unlimited number of times
• The right to sync a file to two portable devices
• the right to burn a file to an audio CD two times

There are three ways to determine whether a file is protected:

1. Windows Media Player -> View menu -> Full Mode -> Library tab -> Protected Column
2. In Windows Explorer, rest the cursor over the file and observe the “Protected” entry. (For this to work, Windows Explorer -> Tools menu -> Folder Options -> View Tab must be set as below on the right.)
3. Right-click the file to select Properties -> Summary tab -> Observe the Protected entry.