Distribution of content stored on read only media, and a system and method by which a consumer who purchased content stored on read only media implements a process in the field by which they alter the storage media and verifiably disable at least a portion of the stored content in support of a transaction. A system and tools are used by the consumer to identify, authenticate, disable, and confirm disablement in exchange for compensation, the acquisition of new usage rights to content, or the ability to restore access to or copy content to new media. The process may be conducted by the consumer in the field without assistance and or visual inspection, or be partially conducted in conjunction with an authorized intermediary. Furthermore, the process may restore access to content stored on new media without the need to transfer copies of content.