System and method for selectively enabling access based on lineage analysis of digital information

• US 7,249,103 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Issued: 07/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schull, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer; Firmin
• Application Number:
  US11/026,477
• Publication Number:
  US 20050149444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 936 Days
• Field of Search: 705/51
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/109 by using specially-adapted hardware at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Software lineages arise through purchase and reproduction. Lineages are tracked by storing lineage-relevant information in variable regions of software instances and/or in a central database according to methods disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of selectively enabling access based on lineage analysis of digital information, the method comprising:

receiving a request to access at least a part of the digital information;

receiving a lineage of the digital information, the lineage including at least one of a copy history of the digital information, a purchase history of the digital information, or a usage history of the digital information;

analyzing the lineage; and

determining whether to allow or deny access to the at least a part of the digital information based on the analyzing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request from a software program distinct from the digital information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request through a networked system.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving a second request to access the digital information, wherein the request and the second request are requests to purchase the digital information; and

offering a discount to the digital information.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising sending license data in response to the request.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a request to access at least one of text, audio, video, or graphical images.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving the request over the Internet.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a request to purchase the digital information.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising offering a purchaser of the digital information a commission on one or more sales derived from the digital information purchased by the purchaser.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising offering a purchaser of the digital information a commission on one or more sales derived from the digital information accessed by the purchaser.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising offering a commission on one or more sales derived from the digital information to one or more individuals identified from analyzing the lineage.

12. The method of claim 8, comprising offering a purchaser of the digital information a discount on a purchase of another copy of the digital information.

13. The method of claim 8, comprising offering a purchaser of the digital information a reward based on distributions of the digital information to additional users.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the request comprises receiving a request to access a feature of the digital information.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the lineage comprises identifying a user of the digital information.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the lineage comprises analyzing an operating context of the digital information.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the lineage comprises detecting a location of a last operation of the digital information.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein analyzing the lineage comprises identifying at least one of a filename or a directory to thereby detect the location.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the lineage comprises detecting digital rights authorized for the digital information.

20. The method of claim 1, comprising analyzing the lineage to evaluate an attractiveness of one or more features of the digital information.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the software program is an audio player, and wherein the digital information is audio information.

22. The method of claim 2, wherein the software program is a video player, and wherein the digital information is video information.

23. The method of claim 2, wherein the digital information is a text reader, and wherein the digital information is text.

24. The method of claim 4, wherein the request and the second request are received from a single computer.

25. The method of claim 4, wherein the request is received from a first computer, wherein the second request is received from a second computer, wherein the first computer is distinct from the second computer.

26. The method of claim 5, wherein the license data includes a password.

27. A device for selectively enabling access based on lineage analysis of digital information, the device comprising:

a first receiver that receives a request to access at least a part of the digital information;

a second receiver that receives a lineage of the digital information, wherein the lineage includes at least one of a copy history of the digital information, a purchase history of the digital information, or a usage history of the digital information;

an analyzer that analyzes the lineage; and

a processor that determines whether to allow or deny access to the at least a part of the digital information based on the analyzing.

28. The device of claim 27, comprising a transmitter that sends license data to a client in response to the request.