Watermarking messaging sessions

• US 20030023682A1
• Filed: 07/26/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Dutta, Rabindranath, Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,269,622 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1831 Tracking arrangements for later retrieval, e.g. recording contents, participants activities or behavior, network status
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/103 applying security measure for protecting copy right protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment, e.g. protection the software providers copyright G06F21/10; data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; secrecy systems or subscription systems H04N7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity

Abstract

A method, system and program is provided for watermarking messaging sessions such that the origin of recorded messaging sessions is traceable. A distinguishable watermark is applied to message entries within a messaging session. The messaging entries are then recorded with the distinguishable watermark applied, such that the origin of the message entries is traceable according to the distinguishable watermark. Users participating in the messaging session receive a recording of the watermarked message entries for the messaging session, wherein user of the recording of the messaging session is traceable according to the watermark.

Claims

1. A method for recording a messaging session, said method comprising the steps of:

applying a distinguishable watermark to a plurality of message entries within a messaging session; and

recording said plurality of messaging entries with said distinguishable watermark applied, such that an origin of said plurality of message entries is traceable according to said distinguishable watermark.

2. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

applying said distinguishable watermark and recording said plurality of messaging entries at a messaging server system communicatively connected via a network to a plurality of client systems accessible to a plurality of users.

3. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

applying said distinguishable watermark and recording said plurality of messaging entries at a separate one of a plurality of client systems communicatively connected via a network to said plurality of client systems accessible to a plurality of users.

4. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

applying a plurality of distinguishable watermarks, each associated with a separate one of a plurality of users, to said plurality of message entries within a messaging session.

5. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said step of applying a distinguishable watermark further comprising the step of:

applying a textual watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

6. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said step of applying a distinguishable watermark further comprising the step of:

applying a graphical watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

7. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said step of applying a distinguishable watermark further comprising the step of:

applying an audible watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

8. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

transmitting said recording of said plurality of messaging entries with a plurality of watermarks applied to said plurality of users, wherein each of said plurality of watermarks corresponds to one from among a plurality of users participating in said messaging session.

9. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

storing said recording in a log file repository for tracing said origin of said plurality of message entries according to said distinguishable watermark.

10. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

tracing a separate one of said plurality of message entries of said messaging session by comparing said separate one of said plurality of message entries with a plurality of watermarked recordings stored according to messaging session.

11. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

tracing a separate one of said plurality of message entries of a separate one of a plurality of users by comparing said separate one of said plurality of entries with a plurality of watermarked recordings stored according to said plurality of users.

12. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

applying said distinguishable watermark in response to a user request to record said plurality of messaging entries with watermarking.

13. The method for recording a messaging session according to claim 1, said method further comprising the step of:

applying said distinguishable watermark to a plurality of message entries already recorded for said messaging session.

14. A system for recording a messaging session, said system comprising:

a messaging server communicatively connected to a network;

means for applying a distinguishable watermark to a plurality of message entries within a messaging session; and

means for recording said plurality of messaging entries with said distinguishable watermark applied, such that an origin of said plurality of message entries is traceable according to said distinguishable watermark.

15. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for applying a plurality of distinguishable watermarks, each associated with a separate one of a plurality of users, to said plurality of message entries within a messaging session.

16. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said means for applying a distinguishable watermark further comprising:

means for applying a textual watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

17. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said means for applying a distinguishable watermark further comprising:

means for applying a graphical watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

18. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said means for applying a distinguishable watermark further comprising:

means for applying an audible watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

19. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for transmitting said recording of said plurality of messaging entries with a plurality of watermarks applied to said plurality of users, wherein each of said plurality of watermarks corresponds to one from among a plurality of users participating in said messaging session.

20. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for storing said recording in a log file repository for tracing said origin of said plurality of message entries according to said distinguishable watermark.

21. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for tracing a separate one of said plurality of message entries of said messaging session by comparing said separate one of said plurality of message entries with a plurality of watermarked recordings stored according to messaging session.

22. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for tracing a separate one of said plurality of message entries of a separate one of a plurality of users by comparing said separate one of said plurality of entries with a plurality of watermarked recordings stored according to said plurality of users.

23. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for applying said distinguishable watermark in response to a user request to record said plurality of messaging entries with watermarking.

24. The system for recording a messaging session according to claim 14, said system further comprising:

means for applying said distinguishable watermark to a plurality of message entries already recorded for said messaging session.

25. A program for recording a messaging session, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for controlling application of a distinguishable watermark to a plurality of message entries within a messaging session; and

means for controlling recording of said plurality of messaging entries with said distinguishable watermark applied, such that an origin of said plurality of message entries is traceable according to said distinguishable watermark.

26. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for controlling application of a plurality of distinguishable watermarks, each associated with a separate one of a plurality of users, to said plurality of message entries within a messaging session.

27. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said means for controlling application of a distinguishable watermark further comprising:

means for controlling application of a textual watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

28. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said means for controlling application of a distinguishable watermark further comprising:

means for controlling application of a graphical watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

29. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said means for controlling application of a distinguishable watermark further comprising:

means for controlling application of an audible watermark to said plurality of message entries within said messaging session.

30. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for enabling transmission of said recording of said plurality of messaging entries with a plurality of watermarks applied to said plurality of users, wherein each of said plurality of watermarks corresponds to one from among a plurality of users participating in said messaging session.

31. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for directing storage of said recording in a log file repository for tracing said origin of said plurality of message entries according to said distinguishable watermark.

32. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for tracing a separate one of said plurality of message entries of said messaging session by comparing said separate one of said plurality of message entries with a plurality of watermarked recordings stored according to messaging session.

33. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for tracing a separate one of said plurality of message entries of a separate one of a plurality of users by comparing said separate one of said plurality of entries with a plurality of watermarked recordings stored according to said plurality of users.

34. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for controlling application of said distinguishable watermark in response to a user request to record said plurality of messaging entries with watermarking.

35. The program for recording a messaging session according to claim 25, said program further comprising:

means for controlling application of said distinguishable watermark to a plurality of message entries already recorded for said messaging session.

36. A method for participating in a messaging session, said method comprising the steps of:

participating in a messaging session by receiving a plurality of messaging entries from a plurality of users participating in said messaging session; and

receiving a recording of said messaging session, wherein said plurality of message entries for said messaging session are watermarked, such that use of said recording of said messaging session is traceable according to a watermark.

37. The method for participating in a messaging session according to claim 36, said method further comprising the step of:

requesting recording of said messaging session with watermarking of said plurality of message entries.

38. The method for participating in a messaging session according to claim 36, said method further comprising the step of:

watermarking said recording of said messaging session.

39. The method for participating in a messaging session according to claim 36, said method further comprising the step of:

participating in said messaging session by transmitting watermarked message entries for access by said plurality of users participating in said messaging session.

40. The method for participating in a messaging session according to claim 36, said method further comprising the step of:

submitting a watermarked entry to be traced according to said watermarking.

41. A system for participating in a messaging session, said system comprising:

a client messaging system communicatively connected to a network;

means for participating in a messaging session by receiving a plurality of messaging entries from a plurality of users participating in said messaging session; and

means for receiving a recording of said messaging session, wherein said plurality of message entries for said messaging session are watermarked, such that use of said recording of said messaging session is traceable according to a watermark.

42. The system for participating in a messaging session according to claim 41, said system further comprising:

means for requesting recording of said messaging session with watermarking of said plurality of message entries.

43. The system for participating in a messaging session according to claim 41, said system further comprising:

means for watermarking said recording of said messaging session.

44. The system for participating in a messaging session according to claim 41, said system further comprising:

means for participating in said messaging session by transmitting watermarked message entries for access by said plurality of users participating in said messaging session.

45. The system for participating in a messaging session according to claim 41, said system further comprising:

means for submitting a watermarked entry to be traced according to said watermarking.

46. A program for participating in a messaging session, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling participation in a messaging session by receiving a plurality of messaging entries from a plurality of users participating in said messaging session; and

means for enabling reception of a recording of said messaging session, wherein said plurality of message entries for said messaging session are watermarked, such that use of said recording of said messaging session is traceable according to a watermark.

47. The program for participating in a messaging session according to claim 46, said program further comprising:

means for enabling transmission of a request to record said messaging session with watermarking of said plurality of message entries.

48. The program for participating in a messaging session according to claim 46, said program further comprising:

means for controlling watermarking of said recording of said messaging session.

49. The program for participating in a messaging session according to claim 46, said program further comprising:

means for enabling participation in said messaging session by transmitting watermarked message entries for access by said plurality of users participating in said messaging session.

50. The program for participating in a messaging session according to claim 46, said program further comprising:

means for enabling submission of a watermarked entry to be traced according to said watermarking.

51. A method for protecting received message entries, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a message entry in association with a messaging session at a client messaging system; and

applying a watermark to said message entry, such that an origin of said message entry is traceable to said client messaging system.

52. A system for protecting received message entries, said system comprising:

a client messaging system communicatively connected to a network to a messaging session;

means for receiving a message entry in association with said messaging session at said client messaging system; and

means for applying a watermark to said message entry, such that an origin of said message entry is traceable to said client messaging system.

53. A program for protecting received message entries, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling reception of a message entry in association with a messaging session at a client messaging system; and

means for controlling application of a watermark to said message entry, such that an origin of said message entry is traceable to said client messaging system.

54. A method for protecting message transmissions, said method comprising the step of:

detecting a new message entry entered at a client messaging system; and

applying a watermark to said new message entry prior to transmission for distribution within a messaging session, such that an origin of said new message entry is traceable to said client messaging system.

55. A system for protecting message transmissions, said system comprising:

a client messaging system communicatively connected to a network to a messaging session;

means for detecting a new message entry entered at said client messaging system; and

means for applying a watermark to said new message entry prior to transmission for distribution within said messaging session, such that an origin of said new message entry is traceable to said client messaging system.

56. A program for protecting message transmissions, residing on a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means, said program comprising:

means for enabling detection of a new message entry entered at a client messaging system; and

means for controlling application of a watermark to said new message entry prior to transmission for distribution within a messaging session, such that an origin of said new message entry is traceable to said client messaging system.