System for controlling the use of digital works using removable content repositories

A repository for controlling the use of digital works in accordance with usage rights associated with the digital works and including a manner of use for the digital work, the repository comprising:

• means for receiving requests for digital works;
• means for determining whether a request for a digital work should be granted based on usage rights associated with the digital work;
• means for storing digital works, the means for storing comprising at least one removable storage device,
• wherein the means for determining determines whether a manner of use specified in the request corresponds to a manner of use included in the usage rights and grants the request if the manner of use specified in the request corresponds to a manner of use included in the usage rights,
• the means for storing stores a contents file of the digital work and a description file associated with the contents file,
• the description file includes the usage rights,
• the contents file is stored on the removable storage device, and
• the description file is stored on the removable storage device;
• and
• means for establishing a secure and trusted communication between the repository and the removable storage device,
• wherein use of the contents file in accordance with the usage rights is subject to fulfillment of a condition that the removable storage device is determined to be an authorized device.