Function

• Zune's media usage rights work by using digital rights management (DRM) technology. DRM license or media rights, control what a user can or cannot do with a digital media, audio or video file.
  
  

Types

• There are four different media usage rights: Play Right, Sync Right, Burn Right and Send Right. Protected files include music files in WMA format, files purchased from Zune Marketplace, plus TV and Music videos. Unprotected files are MP3s, as well as video and music podcasts.
  
  

Effects

• If you try to perform an action on a protected file you do not have rights for, Zune will not let you continue with the action. For every file, Zune checks to see whether the file is protected or not. Unprotected files carry no limits. With protected files, not only must you have the license, but you must also have the right to perform an action, i.e. burning a file to CD. If you do not have a particular right, an error message will appear, explaining why you can't complete an action. Zune's software and devices will only play protected files you buy from Zune Marketplace.