at a server including a processor and a non-transitory memory:

receiving a request from a client device for authorizing rendering a media content item at the client device, wherein the request includes a request for a renewal of the authorization to render the media content upon the client device determining current time is within a threshold from an expiration time associated with the authorization;

obtaining one or more of at least a portion of an image including a watermark and metadata associated with rendering the media content item at the client device, wherein the watermark is embedded into the media content item by the client device and the image is a screen capture of rendering the media content item at the client device, and one or more of at least the portion of the image and the metadata are received from the client device along with the request for the renewal of the authorization;

validating the watermark based at least in part on one or more of at least the portion of the image and the metadata; and

causing disruption of rendering the media content item at the client device in accordance with invalidating the watermark.