Super-distribution of protected digital content

• US 20060095792A1
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Published: 05/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James C. Mahlbacher, Marco M. Hurtado, Richard L. Spagna
• Original Assignee: James C. Mahlbacher, Marco M. Hurtado, Richard L. Spagna
• Inventors: Mahlbacher, James C., Hurtado, Marco M., Spagna, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,866 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/189
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/60 Digital content management, e.g. content distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/083 involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/321 involving a third party or a trusted authority

Abstract

Super distribution of protected digital content is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention previously purchased encrypted digital content is received from a purchaser of the digital content. The purchaser of the previously purchased encrypted digital content is different from the recipient of the encrypted digital content. A secure transmission is established with an authorization authority for decrypting the content. A first decryption key for decrypting at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority is received from the authorization authority. The at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content is decrypted as permitted by the authorization authority.

Claims

1. (canceled)

19. A computer readable medium having instructions to cause a device to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving previously purchased encrypted digital content from a purchaser of the digital content, wherein the purchaser of the previously purchased encrypted digital content is different from the recipient of the encrypted digital content;

establishing a secure transmission with an authorization authority for decrypting the content;

receiving, from the authorization authority, a first decryption key for decrypting at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority; and

decrypting at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the decrypting does not require the recipient of the encrypted digital content to purchase the digital content.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein the encrypted content includes usage conditions.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21, wherein the usage conditions for the purchaser of the digital content is different from the usage conditions for the recipient of the digital content.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting the previously purchased encrypted digital content to a subsequent recipient, the subsequent recipient being different from the purchaser and the recipient, wherein the subsequent recipient communicates with the authorization authority to receive a second decryption key for decrypting at least part of the encrypted digital content without purchasing the previously purchased encrypted digital content.

24. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving previously purchased encrypted digital content from a purchaser of the digital content, wherein the purchaser of the previously purchased encrypted digital content is different from the recipient of the encrypted digital content;

establishing a secure transmission with an authorization authority for decrypting the content;

receiving, from the authorization authority, a first decryption key for decrypting at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority; and

decrypting at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the decrypting does not require the recipient of the encrypted digital content to purchase the digital content.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the encrypted content includes usage conditions.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the usage conditions for the purchaser of the digital content is different from the usage conditions for the recipient of the digital content.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising;

transmitting the previously purchased encrypted digital content to a subsequent recipient, the subsequent recipient being different from the purchaser and the recipient, wherein the subsequent recipient communicates with the authorization authority to receive a second decryption key for decrypting at least part of the encrypted digital content without purchasing the previously purchased encrypted digital content.

29. An apparatus comprising:

a player application configured to;

receive a previously purchased encrypted digital content from a purchaser of the digital content, wherein the purchaser of the previously purchased encrypted digital content is different from the recipient of the encrypted digital content;

establish a secure transmission with an authorization authority for decrypting the content;

receiving, from the authorization authority, a first decryption key for decrypting at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority; and

decrypt at least part of the previously purchased encrypted content as permitted by the authorization authority.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the decrypting does not require the recipient of the encrypted digital content to purchase the digital content.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the encrypted content includes usage conditions.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the usage conditions for the purchaser of the digital content is different from the usage conditions for the recipient of the digital content.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting the previously purchased encrypted digital content to a subsequent recipient, the subsequent recipient being different from the purchaser and the recipient, wherein the subsequent recipient communicates with the authorization authority to receive a second decryption key for decrypting at least part of the encrypted digital content without purchasing the previously purchased encrypted digital content.