Tracking electronic content

• US 20040205205A1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Digital Reg of Texas, LLC (DRM Technologies LLC)
• Original Assignee: Patrick E. Patterson
• Inventors: Patterson, Patrick E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,673,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/229
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A method of tracking electronic content includes producing a file of electronic content and executable instructions that collect notification information and attempt to transmit the notification information to an address when triggered by an event. The executable instructions deny access to the electronic content until the notification information is transmitted successfully.

Claims

1-73. -73. (Cancelled)

74. A method of regulating access to electronic content, the method comprising:

collecting notification information from a recipient of electronic content in response to an attempt to access the electronic content;

transmitting the collected notification information to an address other than that of an immediate sender of the electronic content; and

selectively controlling access to the electronic content based on a result of the transmission of the notification information.