Microsoft Releases Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) 1.0

Today, Microsoft released Windows Rights Management Services (RMS) 1.0 for Windows Server 2003. RMS allows information workers to distribute information within their organizations and define how and under what circumstances it can be used, such as when it expires and who can open, modify, print and forward it. The ability to express and enforce document-level protection will allow organizations to internally share information more broadly, with less risk of inadvertent or intentional misuse.

"Our customers have told us they need help protecting sensitive information from accidental and intentional distribution to unauthorized recipients," said Mike Nash, corporate vice president of the Security Business Unit at Microsoft. "We are very excited about the release of Rights Management Services because it enables a new level of persistent protection for important information created by organizations and businesses that will address a key customer need and create opportunities for our development partners."

Windows Rights Management Services provide the platform for an organizational rights policy management system. Since this server component is provided as a premium service for Windows Server, a Windows RMS Client Access License (CAL) is required for each user publishing and/or viewing rights-protected content. However, up to two users may simultaneously access or use the RMS solely for administration of the software without a CAL. For more details on licensing requirements, please review the End User License Agreement when downloading this premium service.

System Requirements

For more requirements (including database requirements) see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 830804

To provide the flexibility to meet customers' deployment requirements, Microsoft is developing a hardware appliance that will enable customers to manage RMS operational services without connectivity to the Internet. Microsoft is working with Rainbow Technologies, a leading security solutions company, to complete the design and development of this deployment solution component. The appliance will enable client machines to be activated as part of the RMS trusted environment from within the network perimeter, providing a flexible deployment technology to fit the way an organization works.

For more information, see the Microsoft Windows Rights Management Services Web site.

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