Adobe has released a tool which allows content creators to place digital rights management (DRM) protection on Flash media files.

The Adobe Flash Media Rights Management Server lets users place locks on the software which prevent other users from pirating video on Flash files.

With a price tag of $40,000 per CPU, the tool is aimed at broadcasters and site operators that use Flash to serve streaming video.

The DRM tool uses Adobe's Air application development system, which allows users to create internet-based applications that can run without an internet connection.

The use of Air allows the DRM restrictions to remain in place when the user is not connected to the internet.

Jim Guerard, vice president of dynamic media at Adobe, said: "The new capabilities in Flash Media Rights Management Server allow publishers to control and protect unique media assets and bring even more great content online and to the desktop."

The application is currently shipping for Windows Server 2003 and Red Hat Linux.

Adobe has promised that the DRM protections will run on Mac OS and Windows versions of Adobe Media Player, as well as a planned Linux version of the player.