Systems and methods for protection of streamed media content are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes control means for governing content streams or objects, decryption means for decrypting content streams or objects, and feedback means for tracking use of content streams or objects. The control means may operate in accordance with rules received in the streamed content or through a side-band channel. The rules may specify allowed uses of the content, including whether the content can be copied or transferred, and whether content may be "checked out" of one device and used in another. The rules may also include budgets, and a requirement that audit information be collected and/or transmitted to server. In another aspect, a media player is disclosed that uses plugins to assist in rendering content. A "trust plugin" is used to enable a media player designed to render unprotected content to render protected content.