Xbox 360 Digital Rights Management

Xbox 360 Digital Rights Management: Frequently asked questions



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What is "Digital Rights Management"?

Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology is used by content providers such as Xbox stores to control how game and video files are used and distributed. Xbox stores sell and rent DRM-protected videos, games, and add-in content that are covered by media usage rights that allow specific uses of that content.

When you purchase content, you receive a license to use that content. The license has two parts: the system license and the local license. The system license applies to the gamertag that purchases the content, and the local license applies to the console where you first downloaded the content.


Yes, you can transfer content licenses from one console to another once every four months.


  2. Go to Settings and select Account.
  3. Under Your Billing Options, select License Transfer.
  4. Follow the instructions to transfer the content licenses.
  5. After the licenses are transferred, you need to download the content again to update the local licenses. For information about how to do this, see Download content you’ve previously purchased.


What is protected content?

Protected content is any game, video, or add-in that uses Digital Rights Management protection. To play a protected game, video, or add-in, you must have the license for that content.

Examples of protected content

  • Games
  • TV shows
  • Movies
  • Music videos
  • Game add-in content

What is a license?

A license is another name for media usage rights.

How does the Xbox 360 console use licenses?

When you try to use a protected game, video, or add-in, the Xbox 360 console checks whether you have a valid license for that piece of content. If the license allows you to use the content, the Xbox 360 console plays the content or allows use of the add-in.

If the Xbox 360 console doesn’t find a valid license for the content or if the license doesn't permit you to perform the action, your Xbox 360 console won't perform the action. Typically, you receive an error message that states why the action wasn't performed.

How do I get licenses for content?

Licenses are automatically acquired when you download content. If a license is missing or has become corrupted, you can access the download history on your Xbox 360 console and redownload that content to reacquire its license. This process refreshes existing licenses but doesn't transfer licenses to a new console unless you first used a license transfer tool to do that.

Can I transfer movie and TV show licenses?

Unfortunately, you cannot transfer movie and TV show licenses from one console to another due to licensing restrictions.

What is a "roaming" Xbox 360 console?


Note For such roaming to be allowed, you must be connected to Xbox Live by using the profile that purchased the content so the license to the content can be verified.


Follow the troubleshooting steps at Can’t play downloaded Xbox Live content.

Can I transfer content from one Xbox Live account to another?


To enable someone else's Xbox Live account to use your content licenses, you must download your Xbox Live profile and then transfer your content licenses to that person's Xbox 360 console.





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