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System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works

  • US 5,629,980 A
  • Filed: 11/23/1994
  • Issued: 05/13/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for secure distribution and control of digital works between repositories comprising:

  • means for creating usage rights, each instance of a usage right representing a specific instance of how a digital work may be used or distributed;

    means for attaching a created set of usage rights to a digital work;

    a communication medium for coupling repositories to enable exchange of repository transaction messages;

    a plurality of general repositories for storing and securely exchanging digital works with attached usage rights, each of said general repositories comprising;

    a storage means for storing digital works and their attached usage rights;

    an identification certificate for indicating that the associated general repository is secure;

    an external interface for removably coupling to said communications medium;

    a session initiation transaction processing means for establishing a secure and trusted session with another repository, said session initiation transaction processing means using said identification certificate;

    a usage transaction processing means having a requester mode of operation for generating usage repository transaction messages to request access to digital works stored in another general repository, said usage repository transaction message specifying a usage right, said usage transaction processing means further having a server mode of operation for determining if a request for access to a digital work stored in said storage means may be granted, said request being granted only if the usage right specified in said request is attached to said digital work; and

    an input means coupled to said usage transaction processing means for enabling user created signals to cause generation of a usage repository transaction message to request access to digital works.

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