Watch DRM content on Firefox

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This article applies to a newer version of Firefox.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is used by online video and audio services to restrict users from using content in ways that the service does not explicitly permit. While some DRM-controlled content can be viewed using the Microsoft Silverlight and Adobe Flash plugins, many services are moving towards HTML5 videos requiring a different DRM mechanism called a Content Decryption Module (CDM).

The desktop version of Firefox now gives you the option to integrate this code using a DRM plugin from Adobe. This plugin implements a CDM system called Adobe Primetime (previously available via Flash) and allows Firefox to play DRM-controlled video and audio online. Firefox protects users by “sandboxing” or restricting the plugin and asking the operating system to limit what the DRM plugin can do on your computer.

Firefox downloads and enables the Adobe Primetime CDM plugin by default to give users a smooth experience on sites that require DRM. You can easily disable the plugin and opt out of future updates by following the steps below:

Disable the Adobe Primetime plugin

Disabling Adobe Primetime from the add-ons page prevents it from running on your computer and prevents future updates from downloading.

  1. Click on the menu button The image "new fx menu" does not exist. and choose Add-ons.
  2. Click on Plugins on the left side of the Add-ons Manager page.
  3. Select Never Activate on the menu next to Adobe Primetime DRM.

Opt out of DRM playback completely and stop all CDM downloads

You also have the choice to globally opt out of DRM playback and to cease all future CDM downloads. This affects only DRM-controlled HTML5 audio and video. To opt out of DRM completely, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the menu button The image "new fx menu" does not exist..
  2. Click Settings , then click the Content panel.
  3. Remove the check mark next to Play DRM.
You will still be able to view DRM-controlled videos that require Silverlight or Flash plugins if you've enabled them.

You may encounter sites where content playback is not possible without DRM enabled. You may always turn DRM playback on again by navigating to the Options > Content panel and checking the checkmark to “Play DRM.”

Supported Platforms

Currently, Adobe Primetime is only available for Microsoft Windows Vista and higher in 32 bit versions. 64 bit Windows operating systems, Mac OSX and Linux are currently not available.

Users on unsupported platforms may still follow the instructions above to opt out of DRM completely.