Licensing Custom Digital Media Applications That Support Windows Media

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Licensing Custom Digital Media Applications That Support Windows Media

December 2006

As an independent software vendor (ISV) or portable device manufacturer, you can create and distribute Windows-based applications that support Windows Media Format and Windows Media digital rights management (DRM).

To learn more about the licensing steps for creating and distributing these custom applications, review the following topics:

Licensing a Windows-based Application That Reads, Writes, and Edits Content in Windows Media Format
Licensing a Windows-based Application That Plays, Burns, or Transfers Protected Content to Compatible Portable Devices

Licensing a Windows-based Application That Reads, Writes, and Edits Content in Windows Media Format

If you are an ISV and you want to obtain the tools to create and distribute a Windows-based application that reads, writes, and edits files in the Windows Media Format, such as players or content-creation, editing, and encoding applications, do one of the following:

For Windows Vista, download the Windows Media Format 11 SDK.
For Windows XP, download the Windows Media Format 11 SDK or Windows Media Format 9.5 SDK.
For operating systems earlier than Windows XP, complete the Windows Media Format 9 Series SDK form.

Development and distribution rights are defined by the EULA, which will appear when you download the SDK. Read it carefully to verify that your intended use is covered. The EULA provides certain rights for applications that play, copy, edit, or transcode content, but it does not enable these rights for content protected by Windows Media DRM.

Licensing a Windows-based Application That Plays, Burns, or Transfers Protected Content to Compatible Portable Devices

If you are an ISV or portable device manufacturer, and you want to create and distribute a Windows-based application that plays Windows Media DRM-protected content, burns content to CDs, or transfers content to compatible portable devices, complete these steps:

To get the tools for building and distributing your application, download the Windows Media Format 11 SDK for Windows Vista and Windows XP, or complete the Windows Media Format 9 Series SDK form for operating systems earlier than Windows XP. Accept the EULA to download the SDK.
To license your application to play, copy, edit, or transcode Windows Media DRM-protected content or to transfer content to a compatible portable device that has implemented Windows Media DRM 10, submit one of the following:
- The "License Agreement for Certificates for Microsoft Windows Media Format version 11 Software Development Kit." To do so, complete the Microsoft License Request Form. Under Select License to Request, click WM DRM Certificates Agreement for Format SDK 11.
- The “License Agreement for Certificates for Microsoft Windows Media Format (9 Series and Version 9.5) Software Development Kit.” To do so, complete the Microsoft License Request Form. Under Select License to Request, click WM DRM Certificates Agreement for Format SKD 9s and 9.5.
To review a sample of either license agreement, see the Sample Windows Media Licensing Agreements.
After you complete the license request form, Microsoft will send you an e-mail message within two business days that contains instructions for completing the license agreement process. Follow these instructions to obtain the necessary license agreements.
Sign and return the two printed license agreements, and obtain the requested code-signing certificate. Use the code-signing certificate to digitally sign the blank OCX file provided with the agreement, and then send it to Microsoft. Microsoft will verify the signed file and counter-sign the license agreements. The license is granted within five business days of Microsoft receiving your signed license agreement and the signed file.
After the agreement is finalized, Microsoft will send you an e-mail message that contains the Windows Media DRM technologies that you need along with the download instructions. Follow these instructions to download the Windows Media DRM deliverables. Microsoft will also send you a copy of your license agreement for your records.