diff --git a/anvil/src/udev.rs b/anvil/src/udev.rs
index 3232fcf..8328c40 100644
--- a/anvil/src/udev.rs
+++ b/anvil/src/udev.rs
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ use smithay::{
     input::Libinput,
     wayland::{
         compositor::CompositorToken,
+        data_device::{init_data_device, set_data_device_focus},
         output::{Mode, Output, PhysicalProperties},
         seat::{Seat, XkbConfig},
         shm::init_shm_global,
@@ -107,12 +108,15 @@ pub fn run_udev(mut display: Display, mut event_loop: EventLoop<()>, log: Logger
 
     let udev_session_id = notifier.register(&mut udev_backend);
 
+    init_data_device(&mut display.borrow_mut(), log.clone());
+
     let (mut w_seat, _) = Seat::new(&mut display.borrow_mut(), session.seat(), log.clone());
 
     let pointer = w_seat.add_pointer();
     let keyboard = w_seat
-        .add_keyboard(XkbConfig::default(), 1000, 500, |_, _| {})
-        .expect("Failed to initialize the keyboard");
+        .add_keyboard(XkbConfig::default(), 1000, 500, |seat, focus| {
+            set_data_device_focus(seat, focus.and_then(|s| s.client()))
+        }).expect("Failed to initialize the keyboard");
 
     let (output, _output_global) = Output::new(
         &mut display.borrow_mut(),
diff --git a/anvil/src/winit.rs b/anvil/src/winit.rs
index 9d4d479..8890e88 100644
--- a/anvil/src/winit.rs
+++ b/anvil/src/winit.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use smithay::{
         winit,
     },
     wayland::{
+        data_device::{init_data_device, set_data_device_focus},
         output::{Mode, Output, PhysicalProperties},
         seat::{Seat, XkbConfig},
         shm::init_shm_global,
@@ -53,12 +54,16 @@ pub fn run_winit(display: &mut Display, event_loop: &mut EventLoop<()>, log: Log
 
     let (compositor_token, _, _, window_map) = init_shell(display, log.clone());
 
+    init_data_device(display, log.clone());
+
     let (mut seat, _) = Seat::new(display, "winit".into(), log.clone());
 
     let pointer = seat.add_pointer();
+
     let keyboard = seat
-        .add_keyboard(XkbConfig::default(), 1000, 500, |_, _| {})
-        .expect("Failed to initialize the keyboard");
+        .add_keyboard(XkbConfig::default(), 1000, 500, |seat, focus| {
+            set_data_device_focus(seat, focus.and_then(|s| s.client()))
+        }).expect("Failed to initialize the keyboard");
 
     let (output, _) = Output::new(
         display,
diff --git a/src/wayland/data_device/data_source.rs b/src/wayland/data_device/data_source.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b1d4522
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wayland/data_device/data_source.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+use wayland_server::{
+    protocol::{
+        wl_data_device_manager::DndAction,
+        wl_data_source::{Request, WlDataSource},
+    },
+    NewResource, Resource,
+};
+
+/// The metadata describing a data source
+#[derive(Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct SourceMetadata {
+    /// The MIME types supported by this source
+    pub mime_types: Vec<String>,
+    /// The Drag'n'Drop actions supported by this source
+    pub dnd_action: DndAction,
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn implement_data_source(src: NewResource<WlDataSource>) -> Resource<WlDataSource> {
+    src.implement(
+        |req, me| {
+            let data: &Mutex<SourceMetadata> = me.user_data().unwrap();
+            let mut guard = data.lock().unwrap();
+            match req {
+                Request::Offer { mime_type } => guard.mime_types.push(mime_type),
+                Request::SetActions { dnd_actions } => {
+                    guard.dnd_action = DndAction::from_bits_truncate(dnd_actions);
+                }
+                Request::Destroy => {}
+            }
+        },
+        None::<fn(_)>,
+        Mutex::new(SourceMetadata {
+            mime_types: Vec::new(),
+            dnd_action: DndAction::None,
+        }),
+    )
+}
+
+/// Access the metadata of a data source
+pub fn with_source_metadata<T, F: FnOnce(&SourceMetadata) -> T>(
+    source: &Resource<WlDataSource>,
+    f: F,
+) -> Result<T, ()> {
+    match source.user_data::<Mutex<SourceMetadata>>() {
+        Some(data) => Ok(f(&data.lock().unwrap())),
+        None => Err(()),
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/wayland/data_device/mod.rs b/src/wayland/data_device/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9cab6dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/wayland/data_device/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,282 @@
+use std::sync::Mutex;
+
+use wayland_server::{
+    protocol::{
+        wl_data_device, wl_data_device_manager, wl_data_offer, wl_data_source, wl_pointer, wl_surface,
+    },
+    Client, Display, Global, NewResource, Resource,
+};
+
+use wayland::seat::{AxisFrame, PointerGrab, PointerInnerHandle, Seat};
+
+mod data_source;
+
+pub use self::data_source::{with_source_metadata, SourceMetadata};
+
+enum Selection {
+    Empty,
+    Client(Resource<wl_data_source::WlDataSource>),
+}
+
+struct SeatData {
+    known_devices: Vec<Resource<wl_data_device::WlDataDevice>>,
+    selection: Selection,
+    log: ::slog::Logger,
+    current_focus: Option<Client>,
+}
+
+impl SeatData {
+    fn set_selection(&mut self, new_selection: Selection) {
+        self.selection = new_selection;
+        self.send_selection();
+    }
+
+    fn set_focus(&mut self, new_focus: Option<Client>) {
+        self.current_focus = new_focus;
+        self.send_selection();
+    }
+
+    fn send_selection(&mut self) {
+        let client = match self.current_focus.as_ref() {
+            Some(c) => c,
+            None => return,
+        };
+        // first sanitize the selection, reseting it to null if the client holding
+        // it dropped it
+        let cleanup = if let Selection::Client(ref data_source) = self.selection {
+            !data_source.is_alive()
+        } else {
+            false
+        };
+        if cleanup {
+            self.selection = Selection::Empty;
+        }
+        // then send it if appropriate
+        match self.selection {
+            Selection::Empty => {
+                // send an empty selection
+                for dd in &self.known_devices {
+                    // skip data devices not belonging to our client
+                    if dd.client().map(|c| !c.equals(client)).unwrap_or(true) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    dd.send(wl_data_device::Event::Selection { id: None });
+                }
+            }
+            Selection::Client(ref data_source) => {
+                for dd in &self.known_devices {
+                    // skip data devices not belonging to our client
+                    if dd.client().map(|c| !c.equals(client)).unwrap_or(true) {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    let source = data_source.clone();
+                    let log = self.log.clone();
+                    // create a corresponding data offer
+                    let offer = client
+                        .create_resource::<wl_data_offer::WlDataOffer>(dd.version())
+                        .unwrap()
+                        .implement(
+                            move |req, _offer| match req {
+                                wl_data_offer::Request::Receive { fd, mime_type } => {
+                                    // check if the source and associated mime type is still valid
+                                    let valid = with_source_metadata(&source, |meta| {
+                                        meta.mime_types.contains(&mime_type)
+                                    }).unwrap_or(false)
+                                        && source.is_alive();
+                                    if !valid {
+                                        // deny the receive
+                                        debug!(log, "Denying a wl_data_offer.receive with invalid source.");
+                                    } else {
+                                        source.send(wl_data_source::Event::Send { mime_type, fd });
+                                    }
+                                    let _ = ::nix::unistd::close(fd);
+                                }
+                                _ => { /* seleciton data offers only care about the `receive` event */ }
+                            },
+                            None::<fn(_)>,
+                            (),
+                        );
+                    // advertize the offer to the client
+                    dd.send(wl_data_device::Event::DataOffer { id: offer.clone() });
+                    with_source_metadata(data_source, |meta| {
+                        for mime_type in meta.mime_types.iter().cloned() {
+                            offer.send(wl_data_offer::Event::Offer { mime_type })
+                        }
+                    }).unwrap();
+                    dd.send(wl_data_device::Event::Selection { id: Some(offer) });
+                }
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl SeatData {
+    fn new(log: ::slog::Logger) -> SeatData {
+        SeatData {
+            known_devices: Vec::new(),
+            selection: Selection::Empty,
+            log,
+            current_focus: None,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Initialize the data device global
+pub fn init_data_device<L>(
+    display: &mut Display,
+    logger: L,
+) -> Global<wl_data_device_manager::WlDataDeviceManager>
+where
+    L: Into<Option<::slog::Logger>>,
+{
+    let log = ::slog_or_stdlog(logger).new(o!("smithay_module" => "data_device_mgr"));
+
+    let global = display.create_global(3, move |new_ddm, _version| {
+        implement_ddm(new_ddm, log.clone());
+    });
+
+    global
+}
+
+/// Set the data device focus to a certain client for a given seat
+pub fn set_data_device_focus(seat: &Seat, client: Option<Client>) {
+    // ensure the seat user_data is ready
+    // TODO: find a better way to retrieve a logger without requiring the user
+    // to provide one ?
+    // This should be a rare path anyway, it is unlikely that a client gets focus
+    // before initializing its data device, which would already init the user_data.
+    seat.user_data().insert_if_missing(|| {
+        Mutex::new(SeatData::new(
+            seat.arc.log.new(o!("smithay_module" => "data_device_mgr")),
+        ))
+    });
+    let seat_data = seat.user_data().get::<Mutex<SeatData>>().unwrap();
+    seat_data.lock().unwrap().set_focus(client);
+}
+
+fn implement_ddm(
+    new_ddm: NewResource<wl_data_device_manager::WlDataDeviceManager>,
+    log: ::slog::Logger,
+) -> Resource<wl_data_device_manager::WlDataDeviceManager> {
+    use self::wl_data_device_manager::Request;
+    new_ddm.implement(
+        move |req, _ddm| match req {
+            Request::CreateDataSource { id } => {
+                self::data_source::implement_data_source(id);
+            }
+            Request::GetDataDevice { id, seat } => match Seat::from_resource(&seat) {
+                Some(seat) => {
+                    // ensure the seat user_data is ready
+                    seat.user_data()
+                        .insert_if_missing(|| Mutex::new(SeatData::new(log.clone())));
+                    let seat_data = seat.user_data().get::<Mutex<SeatData>>().unwrap();
+                    let data_device = implement_data_device(id, seat.clone(), log.clone());
+                    seat_data.lock().unwrap().known_devices.push(data_device);
+                }
+                None => {
+                    error!(log, "Unmanaged seat given to a data device.");
+                }
+            },
+        },
+        None::<fn(_)>,
+        (),
+    )
+}
+
+fn implement_data_device(
+    new_dd: NewResource<wl_data_device::WlDataDevice>,
+    seat: Seat,
+    log: ::slog::Logger,
+) -> Resource<wl_data_device::WlDataDevice> {
+    use self::wl_data_device::Request;
+    new_dd.implement(
+        move |req, dd| match req {
+            Request::StartDrag {
+                source,
+                origin,
+                icon: _,
+                serial,
+            } => {
+                /* TODO: handle the icon */
+                if let Some(pointer) = seat.get_pointer() {
+                    if pointer.has_grab(serial) {
+                        // The StartDrag is in response to a pointer implicit grab, all is good
+                        pointer.set_grab(
+                            DnDGrab {
+                                data_source: source,
+                                origin,
+                                seat: seat.clone(),
+                            },
+                            serial,
+                        );
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
+                debug!(log, "denying drag from client without implicit grab");
+            }
+            Request::SetSelection { source, serial: _ } => {
+                if let Some(keyboard) = seat.get_keyboard() {
+                    if dd
+                        .client()
+                        .as_ref()
+                        .map(|c| keyboard.has_focus(c))
+                        .unwrap_or(false)
+                    {
+                        let seat_data = seat.user_data().get::<Mutex<SeatData>>().unwrap();
+                        // The client has kbd focus, it can set the selection
+                        seat_data
+                            .lock()
+                            .unwrap()
+                            .set_selection(source.map(Selection::Client).unwrap_or(Selection::Empty));
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
+                debug!(log, "denying setting selection by a non-focused client");
+            }
+            Request::Release => {
+                // Clean up the known devices
+                seat.user_data()
+                    .get::<Mutex<SeatData>>()
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .lock()
+                    .unwrap()
+                    .known_devices
+                    .retain(|ndd| ndd.is_alive() && (!ndd.equals(&dd)))
+            }
+        },
+        None::<fn(_)>,
+        (),
+    )
+}
+
+struct DnDGrab {
+    data_source: Option<Resource<wl_data_source::WlDataSource>>,
+    origin: Resource<wl_surface::WlSurface>,
+    seat: Seat,
+}
+
+impl PointerGrab for DnDGrab {
+    fn motion(
+        &mut self,
+        handle: &mut PointerInnerHandle,
+        location: (f64, f64),
+        focus: Option<(Resource<wl_surface::WlSurface>, (f64, f64))>,
+        serial: u32,
+        time: u32,
+    ) {
+
+    }
+
+    fn button(
+        &mut self,
+        handle: &mut PointerInnerHandle,
+        button: u32,
+        state: wl_pointer::ButtonState,
+        serial: u32,
+        time: u32,
+    ) {
+
+    }
+
+    fn axis(&mut self, handle: &mut PointerInnerHandle, details: AxisFrame) {}
+}
diff --git a/src/wayland/mod.rs b/src/wayland/mod.rs
index 1d1fd29..b61ba8d 100644
--- a/src/wayland/mod.rs
+++ b/src/wayland/mod.rs
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering};
 
 pub mod compositor;
+pub mod data_device;
 pub mod output;
 pub mod seat;
 pub mod shell;
diff --git a/src/wayland/seat/mod.rs b/src/wayland/seat/mod.rs
index 242e472..68a73b0 100644
--- a/src/wayland/seat/mod.rs
+++ b/src/wayland/seat/mod.rs
@@ -77,10 +77,10 @@ struct Inner {
     known_seats: Vec<Resource<wl_seat::WlSeat>>,
 }
 
-struct SeatArc {
+pub(crate) struct SeatArc {
     inner: Mutex<Inner>,
     user_data: UserDataMap,
-    log: ::slog::Logger,
+    pub(crate) log: ::slog::Logger,
     name: String,
 }
 
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ impl Inner {
 /// See module-level documentation for details of use.
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct Seat {
-    arc: Arc<SeatArc>,
+    pub(crate) arc: Arc<SeatArc>,
 }
 
 impl Seat {