Digital Rights Management

• Digital Rights Management is the terminology used when discussing software that allows the owners of an intellectual property to govern how that property is used. DRM technology most frequently uses software-based encryption to allow only those with a username and password to access the media.
  
  

Zune Pass

• The Zune pass is a digital-audio streaming service that allows you to create playlists and play them on Zune and other Zune-enabled devices, such as an Xbox 360. The Zune Pass is proprietary to the Zune platform and can't be played on an iPad.
  
  

Zune DRM

• Zune Pass implements a form of DRM that prevents music that's downloaded onto the Zune from being played on another media device, such as the iPad. The DRM-protected files are assigned to the device that downloads them and any synced media players such as the Windows Media Player. Music downloaded from the Zune store with DRM activated isn't playable on another device.
  
  

DMR-Free Downloads

• Selected media groups have begun producing music files without a DRM code on Apple’s iTunes store and through the Zune Pass’ top-tiered membership. These files cost more than the DRM-enabled files but can be used on multiple devices, including the iPad. The Zune Pass has included a feature to its membership that allows you to download 10 DRM-free songs per month in addition to the streaming music subscription.