Flexible digital content licensing

• US 20060167808A1
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Starz Entertainment, LLC (Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation)
• Inventors: Greene, Bob, Fukuda, John S., Lim, Rebecca R., Beyler, John C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,587,766 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

According to the invention, a video system for playing licensed video content is disclosed. The video system includes a video, a video selection interface, a video storage device, and a license control process. The video is selected from a plurality of videos stored on the video storage device. There is a plurality of content licenses for the video, where the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license. The first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, where the first time period is different from the second time period. The license control process enforces the content licenses.

Claims

1. A method for managing licensed videos, the method comprising steps of:

relaying selection of a video;

receiving a plurality of content licenses for the video, wherein;

the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license,

the first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, and

the first time period is different from the second time period;

controlling access to the video according to the plurality of content licenses for the video.

2. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first content license allows viewing a first portion of the video,

the second content license allows viewing a second portion of the video,

the first portion is different from the second portion, and

the first portion may partially overlap with the second portion.

3. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, wherein:

the first content license allows viewing a first portion of the video,

the second content license allows viewing a second portion of the video, and

the first portion is different from the second portion.

4. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second time period begins when the video becomes available for viewing.

5. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, wherein the first time period begins when use of the first content license begins.

6. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of storing a playback position when a current license of the plurality of content licenses expires.

7. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of resuming playback under a new content license at a playback point defined at the expiration of the old content license.

8. The method for managing licensed videos as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of displaying a message that a current license is about to expire.

9. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the computer-implementable method for managing licensed videos of claim 1.

10. A computer system adapted to perform the computer-implementable method for managing licensed videos of claim 1.

11. A video system for playing licensed video content, the video system comprising:

a video;

a video selection interface for selecting the video;

a video storage device for storing a plurality of videos locally to the viewer, wherein the plurality of videos includes the video;

a plurality of content licenses for the video, wherein;

the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license,

the first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where viewing is allowed, and

the first time period is different from the second time period; and

a license control process for enforcing the content licenses.

12. The video system for playing licensed video content as recited in claim 11, wherein the license control process is managed by software.

13. The video system for playing licensed video content as recited in claim 11, wherein the video is part of a plurality of videos that are purchased as a package.

14. The video system for playing licensed video content as recited in claim 11, wherein the video storage device allows access to any portion of the plurality of videos in less than ten seconds

15. The video system for playing licensed video content as recited in claim 11, wherein:

the first content license allows viewing a first portion of the video,

the second content license allows viewing a second portion of the video, and

the first portion is different from the second portion.

16. The video system for playing licensed video content as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first or second time period begins when the video becomes available for viewing.

17. The video system for playing licensed video content as recited in claim 11, wherein the first time period begins when use of the first content license begins.

18. A method for managing licensed content, the method comprising steps of:

relaying selection of a content object;

receiving the content object;

receiving a plurality of content licenses for the content object, wherein;

the plurality of content licenses is comprised of at least a first content license and a second content license,

the first content license has a first time period where viewing is allowed and the second content license has a second time period where playback is allowed, and

the first time period is different from the second time period;

controlling access to the content object according to the plurality of content licenses for the content object.

19. The method for managing licensed content as recited in claim 18, wherein the content object is comprised of video content.

20. The method for managing licensed content as recited in claim 18, further comprising a step of storing a playback position when a current license of the plurality of content licenses expires.

21. The method for managing licensed content as recited in claim 18, further comprising a step of resuming playback under a new content license at a playback point defined at the expiration of the old content license.

22. The method for managing licensed content as recited in claim 18, further comprising a step of displaying a message that a current license is about to expire.

23. The method for managing licensed content as recited in claim 18, further comprising a step of displaying a message that a new license is available when a current license is about to expire.

24. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the computer-implementable method for managing licensed content of claim 18.

25. A computer system adapted to perform the computer-implementable method for managing licensed content of claim 18.