Below are some of the FAQs about the new PlayReady technology, which supports both a wider digital media delivery path for developers & content providers as well as a simpler, more connected user experience for media content on multiple mobile devices.

Q.	What is Microsoft PlayReady technology?
A.	Microsoft PlayReady is a new content access technology optimized to help mobile operators, content service providers, and handset manufacturers create products and services for digital entertainment and commerce.
Q.	What are the key features of Microsoft PlayReady?
A.	Microsoft PlayReady technology supports a wide range of audio and video formats, including WMA, WMV, AAC, AAC+, enhanced AAC+, and H.264. It also moves beyond audio/video to also support games, images, and ringtones, and it supports many business models for content, including purchased downloads, subscription, rental, preview, and pay-per-view. These features are crucial components for mobile operators, handset vendors, and content services who desire to deliver an expanding range of entertainment-focused content, services and devices–-now and in the future.
Q.	Is Microsoft PlayReady an application? A Software Development Kit (SDK)? Something else?
A.	Microsoft PlayReady is a technology platform that offers components tailored for different parts of the ecosystem. Mobile device manufacturers can now license the Microsoft PlayReady porting kit, which includes source code and documentation, while content services can use the upcoming server-side SDK to package their content for delivery to customers.
Q.	When will Microsoft PlayReady be available?
A.	The PlayReady Porting Kit is available now. A server-side PlayReady Rights Manager SDK for content services is planned for release in the first half of 2008.
Q.	When will devices and services be available?
A.	This is dependent on the product development cycles of device manufacturers and content services. Devices and services that support Microsoft PlayReady are expected to be available for consumers in 2008.
Q.	What does this mean for my company as a potential licensee?
A.	It means that you have access to a content access technology that supports virtually any file type and business model you choose to implement.
Q.	What are the licensing terms?
A.	Please see the Microsoft PlayReady License Terms page for licensing details.
Q.	How is Microsoft PlayReady different from Windows Media DRM?
A.	Microsoft PlayReady is backward compatible with Windows Media DRM 10, so devices that support PlayReady will be able to play content that is protected using Windows Media DRM 10. PlayReady also offers significant functionality not available with Windows Media DRM 10. PlayReady is optimized first and foremost for the mobile industry, and for services wishing to provide content to mobile devices. As such, it is designed to enable the delivery of virtually any digital file to mobile handsets using a variety of business models.
Q.	Can I still license Windows Media DRM 10?
A.	Yes. Microsoft PlayReady will support playback of content protected with Windows Media DRM 10, but you can continue to license Windows Media DRM under its existing and long-standing terms and conditions, if that suits your needs.
Q.	What does this mean for my content service that currently uses Windows Media DRM 10?
A.	Devices that support Microsoft PlayReady technology will be able to decrypt content that is protected using Windows Media DRM 10.
Q.	What does Microsoft PlayReady mean for consumers?
A.	Microsoft PlayReady will enable content services and device manufacturers to make more content available to consumers, and to make that content more portable than it is today. PlayReady’s support for domains will make it easy for consumers to transfer and play their content on any of their devices that are part of the domain.