Protection of content stored on portable memory from unauthorized usage

A device for reading a portable memory which stores content governed by a rule, said device comprising:

• an interface onto which said portable memory mounts, said portable memory having a first physical non-standard feature that makes said portable memory non-mountable on devices built in accordance with an open standard;
• a communications port communicatively coupled to a rendering device which renders said content, said communications port having a second physical non-standard feature that is incompatible with connectors built according to an open standard;
• a processor;
• and
• a memory which stores authentication logic executable on said processor, wherein said logic causes said device to engage in an authentication protocol with said rendering device and which determines whether said content is to be transmitted to said rendering device in accordance with a result of said authentication protocol.

A system for the limited distribution of protected content comprising:

• means for receiving protected data;
• portable memory recording means for recording data onto a portable memory, said portable memory recording means being communicatively coupled to said means for receiving data;
• mounting means for mounting said portable memory onto said portable memory recording means, said mounting means including at least one physical non-standard proprietary feature that makes portable memories readable by devices built in accordance with an open standard incompatible with said portable memory recording means;
• rights management means for limiting the usage of protected content,
• said means for receiving protected data having a second physical non-standard proprietary feature that is incompatible with connectors built according to an open standard,
• wherein said second physical non-standard proprietary feature comprises a non-standard pin pattern.