A first device is used to initiate and direct a rights-management transaction, such as content licensing, acquisition, or activation, on behalf of a second device. The first device may, for example, be a desktop computer, laptop computer, or electronic kiosk at a bricks-and-mortar store. The second device may, for example, be a handheld computer that is cradled to establish communicative connectivity with the first device. A user interacts with the first device to initiate a transaction on behalf of the second device. The first device then obtains the information from the second device that is necessary to perform the transaction on behalf of the second device, communicates with a server, and provides the result of the server communication to the first device. Thus, the first device acts as a proxy for the second device.