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Method of controlling the reproduction of copyrighted images

  • US 6,711,277 B1
  • Filed: 10/25/2000
  • Issued: 03/23/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling the reproduction of copyrighted images, comprising the steps of:

  • a) providing an image medium having a predetermined pattern of micro-dots;

    b) steganographically embedding a reproduction authorization signal, that is separate and distinct from the micro-dots, within some copyrighted digital images and not in others;

    c) printing the copyrighted digital images on the image medium to produce copyrighted images;

    d) in an image reproduction apparatus, attempting to detect the predetermined pattern of micro-dots and the authorization signal in an image to be reproduced;

    e) if the authorization signal is detected, and the pattern of microdots is detected, overriding the micro-dot detection and permitting reproduction of the image to be reproduced; and

    f) if the authorization signal is not detected and the pattern of microdots is detected, preventing the reproduction of the image to be reproduced.

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