Preventing unauthorized distribution of media content within a global network

• US 8,112,815 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Music Public Broadcasting, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Music Public Broadcasting, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitzgerald, Edward Vincent, Risan, Hank
• Primary Examiner(s): Gee, Jason
• Application Number:
  US12/479,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20090265793A1
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 726/26, 726/29, 713/164
• US Class Current: 726/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/062 for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.

Claims

1. A method for preventing unauthorized access to protected media disposed on a media storage device, said method comprising:

activating an autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device in response to a device drive coupled with a client device receiving said media storage device, said autorun mechanism for initiating installing a compliance mechanism on said client device;

installing said compliance mechanism on said client device, said compliance mechanism communicatively coupled with said client device when installed thereon, said compliance mechanism for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to said protected media disposed on said media storage device;

diverting, with a shim driver, a commonly used data input pathway operable on said client device to a controlled data input pathway monitored by said compliance mechanism for every instance of media including said protected media and any unprotected media;

preventing said protected media of said media storage device from being captured by an extractor mechanism via said data input pathway while enabling presentation of said protected media said preventing performed by said compliance mechanism stopping or disrupting the delivery of said protected media via said controlled data input pathway; and

initiating a communication session between said client device and a network from which said compliance mechanism is available, said network comprising a plurality of content sources.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

updating said compliance mechanism on said client device from a content source of said plurality of content sources.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

comparing said compliance mechanism present on said client device and said compliance mechanism available from said network; and

updating said compliance mechanism on said client device from a content source of said plurality of content sources.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

invoking a presentation mechanism coupled with said client device, said presentation mechanism authorized in accordance with said compliance mechanism to present said protected media.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

installing a presentation mechanism on said client device from a content source of said plurality of content sources to enable said client device to present said protected media, said presentation mechanism authorized in accordance with said compliance mechanism to present said protected media.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said autorun mechanism is activated in response to detection of a usage restriction indicator disposed on said media storage device, subsequent to said device drive receiving said media storage device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said autorun mechanism is activated in response to detection of a selection of an icon representing said protected media.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said usage restriction is a copyright restriction or a licensing agreement applicable to said protected media.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said media storage device comprises a filter driver disposed thereon, said filter driver coupled to and operable in conjunction with said compliance mechanism for controlling said data input pathway.

10. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said instance of media content comprises a digital watermark or an embedded key.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said media storage device upon which said protected media is disposed is from a group consisting of:

a compact disk (CD), a mini CD, a digital versatile disk (DVD), a mini DVD, a compact flash card, a secure digital (SD) card, a memory stick, a digital audio tape (DAT), a digital video tape (DVT), a holographic storage object, a magneto-optical disk, a multi-layer fluorescent disk, an optical disk, and a magnetic disk.