FILE SYSTEM OPERATION AND DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (DRM)

A file system is configured for use with files protected by digital rights management (DRM) content controls and to interact both with applications that are, and are not, DRM aware. The file system may be configured for use by two applications, in a manner that may provide the second application with protected files if the first application was previously allowed access. In one example, a user context cache of DRM-protected files is created. The files in the cache may have been decrypted in response to a request(s) from the first application. Subsequent requests from the second application may be received for files within the user context cache of DRM-protected files. At least one of the files within the user context cache of DRM-protected files may be provided to the second application if the second application has a joint user context with the first application.