A content distribution system and method which prevents unauthorized
access to secured content such as movies and music. The system includes a
source, a receiver, an authorized security device such as a conditional
access module (CAM) for decrypting authorized content and an output
device for outputting content. The system can also include a backend for
managing accounts and system operations. One aspect of this invention is
that the content data is derived from the Internet. The system allows for
the verification of authorization to play secured content, the addition
of watermarks to the secured content, the conversion of the secured
content to a displayable form and the means for preventing output of the
secured content.