Premises content distribution apparatus for use with one or more media-capable devices (222, 224, 226, 228, 232, 234), said premises content distribution apparatus comprising: a first interface configured to receive at least protected content from a first network entity; a mass storage device in data communication with said first interface and configured to store at least a portion of said protected content; and a second interface configured to provide networking throughout at least a portion of a premises, said premises content distribution apparatus being configured to: maintain first and second security layers, said first security layer corresponding to devices within a secure network and having a first level of content protection associated therewith, said second layer corresponding to devices outside said secure network and being associated with a second level of protection based on a verification of a security thereof, said second level of protection being less than the said first level; receive a request from one of said one or more media-capable devices via said second interface for transfer of said protected content; determine that said requesting media-capable device is associated with said second security layer; transfer said protected content to said requesting media-capable device; and transfer at least one rule to said requesting media-capable device, said at least one rule relating to use of said transferred protected content by said requesting media-capable device. said premises content distribution apparatus characterized by: said networking comprising pooling resources of said one or more media-capable devices for access and utilization thereof by each of said one or more media-capable devices. a first interface configured to receive at least protected content from a first network entity; a mass storage device in data communication with said first interface and configured to store at least a portion of said protected content; and a second interface configured to provide networking throughout at least a portion of a premises, said premises content distribution apparatus being configured to: maintain first and second security layers, said first security layer corresponding to devices within a secure network and having a first level of content protection associated therewith, said second layer corresponding to devices outside said secure network and being associated with a second level of protection based on a verification of a security thereof, said second level of protection being less than the said first level; receive a request from one of said one or more media-capable devices via said second interface for transfer of said protected content; determine that said requesting media-capable device is associated with said second security layer; transfer said protected content to said requesting media-capable device; and transfer at least one rule to said requesting media-capable device, said at least one rule relating to use of said transferred protected content by said requesting media-capable device. maintain first and second security layers, said first security layer corresponding to devices within a secure network and having a first level of content protection associated therewith, said second layer corresponding to devices outside said secure network and being associated with a second level of protection based on a verification of a security thereof, said second level of protection being less than the said first level; receive a request from one of said one or more media-capable devices via said second interface for transfer of said protected content; determine that said requesting media-capable device is associated with said second security layer; transfer said protected content to said requesting media-capable device; and transfer at least one rule to said requesting media-capable device, said at least one rule relating to use of said transferred protected content by said requesting media-capable device. said premises content distribution apparatus characterized by: said networking comprising pooling resources of said one or more media-capable devices for access and utilization thereof by each of said one or more media-capable devices.