System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works
First Claim
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.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for controlling use and distribution of digital works. In the present invention, the owner of a digital work attaches usage rights to that work. Usage rights are granted by the "owner" of a digital work to "buyers" of the digital work. The usage rights define how a digital work may be used and further distributed by the buyer. Each right has associated with it certain optional specifications which outline the conditions and fees upon which the right may be exercised. Digital works are stored in a repository. A repository will process each request to access a digital work by examining the corresponding usage rights. Digital work playback devices, coupled to the repository containing the work, are used to play, display or print the work. Access to digital works for the purposes of transporting between repositories (e.g. copying, borrowing or transfer) is carried out using a digital work transport protocol. Access to digital works for the purposes of replay by a digital work playback device (e.g. printing, displaying or executing) is carried out using a digital work playback protocol.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A system for secure distribution and control of digital works between repositories comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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9. A method for controlling distribution and use of digital works comprising the steps of:
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a) attaching a set of usage rights to a digital work, each of said usage rights defining a specific instance of how a digital work may be used or distributed, said usage right specifying one or more conditions which must be satisfied in order for said usage right to be exercised and a next set of usage rights to be attached to a distributed digital work; b) storing said digital work and its attached usage rights in a first repository; c) a second repository initiating a request to access said digital work in said first repository, said request identifying a usage right representing how said second repository desires to use said digital work; d) said first repository receiving said request from said second repository; e) said first repository determining if the identified usage right is attached to said digital work; f) said first repository denying access to said digital work if said identified usage right is not attached to said digital work; g) if said identified usage right is attached to said digital work, said first repository determining if conditions specified by said usage right are satisfied; h) if said conditions are not satisfied, said first repository denying access to said digital work; i) if said conditions are satisfied, said first repository attaching a next set of usage rights to said digital work, said next set of usage rights specifying how said second repository may use and distribute said digital work; and j) said first repository transmitting said digital work and said attached next set of usage rights to said second repository. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A system for controlling distribution and use of digital works comprising:
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means for attaching usage rights to said digital work, said usage rights indicating how a recipient may use and subsequently distribute said digital work; a communications medium for coupling repositories to enable distribution of digital works; a plurality of repositories for managing exchange of digital works based on usage rights attached to said digital works, each of said plurality of repositories comprising; a storage means for storing digital works and their attached usage rights; a processor operating responsive to coded instructions; a memory means coupled to said processor for storing coded instruction to enable said processor to operate in a first server mode for processing access requests to digital works and for attaching usage rights to digital works when transmitted to another of said plurality of repositories, a second requester mode for initiating requests to access digital works, and a session initiation mode for establishing a trusted session with another of said plurality of repositories over said communications medium; a clock; a repository interface for coupling to said communications medium. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for secure access of digital works stored on a server repository, said digital works having associated therewith one or more usage rights for specifying how said digital work may be used or distributed, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) a requesting repository performing a first registration transaction with a server repository, said first registration transaction for establishing to said server repository that said requesting repository is trustworthy; b) concurrently with step a), said server repository responding with a second registration transaction, said second registration transaction for establishing to said requesting repository that said server repository is trustworthy; c) if either said first registration transaction or said second registration transaction fails, said server repository denying access to said digital work; d) if said first registration transaction and said second registration transaction are successful, said requesting repository initiating a usage transaction with respect to a digital work stored in said server repository, said usage transaction indicating a request to access a digital work and specifying a particular usage right; e) determining if said usage transaction may be completed by comparing said particular usage right specified in said usage transaction and usage rights associated with said digital work; f) if said particular usage right is not one of said usage rights associated with said digital work, denying access to said digital work; and g) if said particular usage right is one of said usage rights associated with said digital work, granting access to said digital work and performing usage transaction steps associated with said particular usage right. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification