System and method for using a streaming protocol

A method of distributing content using a distribution point, the method comprising:

• receiving an instruction to distribute a stream of content on a distribution point;
• providing the distribution point with the stream of content;
• receiving a sequence of initialization vectors for the stream of content, with each initialization vector in the sequence of initialization vectors representing a setting for a particular portion of content to which a decryption engine should be set in order to decrypt the content using a key;
• receiving, from an application server, an indication that a request from a client device should be supported;
• receiving, from the client device and across a communications network, the request from the client device to access the stream of content;
• enabling, based on receiving the indication, the client device to access the stream of content in a connection between the client device and the distribution point;
• accessing, from within the request, a time mark with a temporal description of which portion of the stream of content should be transmitted to the user;
• relating the time mark to the sequence of initialization vectors;
• selecting a provided initialization vector from within the sequence of initialization vectors;
• and
• transmitting the provided initialization vector to the client device across the connection in a first metadata message.