Patent ID: 8494965

Claim:
A content distribution system for issuing audio or video licenses compatible with a digital rights management (DRM) function, the content distribution system comprising: a first content repository and a first license repository that enables use of a plurality of content objects with a first content player; a second content repository and a second license repository that enables use of a plurality of content objects with a second content player, wherein: the second content player is physically separate from the first content player, the first content player is associated with a first DRM function, the second content player is associated with a second DRM function, the second license repository receives second information describing a second plurality of content licenses, the first license repository stores a first plurality of content licenses, the first plurality of content licenses are maintained by the first DRM function, the second DRM function does not accept the first plurality of content licenses associated with the first DRM function, the first plurality of content licenses enable use of a plurality of content objects with the first content player within confines of the first DRM function, the first content repository stores the plurality of content objects, and the plurality of content objects are separate files from the first and second plurality of content licenses; and a migration server that includes at least an authentication engine and a license repository, wherein: the migration server is geographically distant from the first and second content players, the migration server issues the second plurality of content licenses, each content license of the second plurality of content licenses being associated with a license of the first plurality of content licenses, the authentication engine authorizes the second plurality of content licenses of the second license repository, and the second plurality of content licenses enable use of the plurality of content objects with the second content player within the confines of the second DRM function.