As first reported by BetaNews in March, Microsoft has developed a new version of its digital rights management (DRM) software code-named "Janus."

Microsoft on Monday formally announced Janus, as well as a sampling of the industry support that the technology has already received from backers such as America Online and Disney.

Recent efforts to win friends among content providers have paid off for Microsoft. Nearly one year ago, Microsoft and AOL made nice a with $750 million settlement.  A provision of the settlement was AOL's non-exclusive use of Windows Media Player 9 and an initiative to cooperatively develop DRM technology.

Last February, Microsoft joined with Mickey and Co. in a long term partnership to cooperate on digital media efforts. Under the agreement, Windows Media DRM will securely deliver high definition Disney video into the home and onto PCs, optical media and portable devices.

Other Microsoft content and service partners include OD2, Movielink, MusicNow, Napster, VirginMega France, and Yacast. Redmond has also lined up electronic device manufacturers Archos SA, Creative, Dell, Digital 5, iRiver International, PRISMIQ, PURE Digital, Rio, Samsung, SimpleDevices, and 2Wire to incorporate Janus into their products.

Commenting on its reworked DRM technology, Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft stated, "The next generation of Windows Media DRM breaks new ground for music and video services so they can offer consumers more choices and an even better experience when buying, renting or previewing premium content."

Majidimehr continued, "Imagine paying a low monthly fee to fill your portable music player with thousands of songs, or renting a dozen movies to take with you on a Portable Media Center when you go on holiday, perhaps watching them as you sit on the plane, or letting your kids watch them in the back seat of the car. This kind of flexibility is what our technology is designed to enable."