1. A method for creating a rights expression for association with an item for use in a system for controlling use of the item in accordance with the rights expression, said method comprising: specifying rights expression information indicating a manner of use of an item, said rights expression information including at least one element, said element having a variable and corresponding value for said variable; and performing an encoding process, including: determining an identifier associated with a template corresponding to said rights expression information, extracting from said rights expression information said value for said variable corresponding to said element, and encoding a license adapted to be enforced on a device based on said variable and said identifier, said license including an identification of said template and said value for said variable.