NETWORK-BASED CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• US 20090037388A1
• Filed: 08/11/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Verimatrix Incorporated (Verimatrix SA)
• Original Assignee: Verimatrix Incorporated (Verimatrix SA)
• Inventors: Kulakowski, Robert T., Cooper, Robin Ross
• Application Number:
  US12/189,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20090037388A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/103 applying security measure for protecting copyright
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A method and system for transferring electronic media information over a public network in such a way as to provide safeguards for inappropriate distribution of copyright or otherwise protected materials are described. The media information is transparently watermarked with a unique ID, such as one generated from X.509 Digital Certificate and public-key cryptography public/private key pairs, such that the information can be identified as belonging to a particular individual. A system and method for monitoring the movement of such watermarked files, positively identifying people who have inappropriately distributed copyright materials over a public network without permission, and taking appropriate enforcement action against such people.

Claims

1. A system for network-based content distribution comprising:

an interface module configured to interface with a network;

a transaction module coupled to said interface module and configured to initialize a transaction with a user, authenticate the identity of a user and obtain a digital certificate related to said user, search for content desired by said user, implement a payment transaction, obtain a watermark related to said user, and transfer content selected to said user and insert said watermark into said content;

a transaction database configured to store information related to transactions carried out by said transaction module;

an archive database configured to store content selected by users; and

a certification authority configured to authenticate users.

2. A method for distributing content over a network, the method comprising:

initializing a transaction with a user;

authenticating the digital certificate of a user;

allowing a user to search for and select content to be downloaded;

generating a watermark relating to the content to be downloaded, the source of the content and the identity of the user; and

inserting said watermark into said content.

3. A method for verifying, searching for and identifying content accessible over a network, the method comprising:

identifying files accessible over the network;

for each such file, searching for content including a watermark related to the source of the content and the identification of the authorized user of the content; and

determining whether the present location of said content with said watermark is in an authorized location.