Preventing unauthorized distribution of media content within a global network

A method for preventing unauthorized recording of media content, said method comprising:

• transmitting from a client node to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content;
• determining which content source of a plurality of content sources to provide delivery of said instance of media content, provided said client node is authorized to receive said instance of media content;
• transmitting to said client node an access key and a location of said instance of media content of said content source;
• transmitting from said client node to said content source a second request and said access key;
• in response to receiving said second request and said access key, transferring said instance of media content from said content source to said client node, said instance of media content being transferred in an unencrypted format;
• activating a compliance mechanism upon receiving said instance of media content, said compliance mechanism for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to said instance of media content in response to said client node receiving said instance of media content in said unencrypted format;
• controlling a data path of a kernel-mode media device driver of said client node with said compliance mechanism by diverting a first data pathway used by said media content present application to a second data pathway governed by said compliance mechanism;
• and
• directing every said instance of media content received at said client system in said unencrypted format from said kernel-mode media device driver to a media device driver coupled with said compliance mechanism, via said second data pathway governed by said compliance mechanism, for selectively restricting output of said instance of media content.