System and method for tracking distribution of digital content
First Claim
1. A communication device for communicating messages over a network comprising:
- at least one transceiver, configured to transmit and receive a message having a message identifier and a plurality of recipient identifiers wherein the order of said plurality of recipient identifiers corresponds to an order of custody of said message by recipients, and wherein recipients are unable to edit said plurality of recipient identifiers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for associating a list of recipient identifiers with an electronic message is provided. An application is launched in conjunction with a messaging application (207) on a messaging capable device (200). When a user initiates creation of an electronic message and enters at least one recipient'"'"'s information (403) the application adds the recipient'"'"'s information into a header of the electronic message (411) that is encrypted and embedded into the message. In addition a unique message identifier (409) that associates the message with a sender and recipients is added to the message. The message, header information, and any attachments are lastly encrypted into a message object (415) which cannot be edited by message recipients. Any subsequent forwarding of the message by a recipient follows a similar process such that a tree of custody of the electronic message is traceable.
54 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A communication device for communicating messages over a network comprising:
at least one transceiver, configured to transmit and receive a message having a message identifier and a plurality of recipient identifiers wherein the order of said plurality of recipient identifiers corresponds to an order of custody of said message by recipients, and wherein recipients are unable to edit said plurality of recipient identifiers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
17. A server comprising:
-
a processor configured to assign and transmit a message identifier to a message originator communications device via a network; and
a memory configured to store a plurality of said message identifiers wherein each of said message identifiers is associated with a message transmitted by said message originator communications device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
20. A server comprising:
-
a processor configured to assign and transmit an audit identifier to a message originator communications device via a network; and
a memory configured to store a plurality of said audit identifiers wherein each of said audit identifiers is associated with a message attachment transmitted by said message originator communications device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
-
-
23. A method of communicating messages over a network comprising:
-
embedding into a message a message identifier, message originator identifier, and message recipient identifier;
attaching content if any to said message;
preparing headers and suitable encapsulation of said message and said content in accordance with a communication protocol;
updating a message log; and
transmitting said message to a recipient using said communication protocol.
-
-
24. A method of tracking information custody comprising:
-
receiving a message;
re-transmitting said message to at least one recipient; and
transmitting a message log update to a message originator. - View Dependent Claims (25)
-
-
26. A method of tracking information custody comprising:
-
receiving a message;
re-transmitting said message to at least one recipient; and
transmitting a message log update to a server. - View Dependent Claims (27)
-
-
28. A method of constructing a message by a communications device comprising:
-
generating a message identifier;
adding said message identifier into a message header;
adding a message originator identifier to said message header;
adding at least one recipient identifier to said message header; and
encrypting said message header. - View Dependent Claims (29)
-
Specification