System, method and apparatus for securely distributing content

An apparatus for securely distributing content, comprising:

• a processor configured for:
• generating a protected document package (PDP) including encrypted content or a link to encrypted content, a Publisher Key (PK) for decrypting said encrypted content for presentation of said content by an authorized user via a Limited Capability Viewer (LCV), and software instructions which, when executed by a processor at a user device of a proposed authorized user, cause said user device to generate a Content Consumer License Request (CCLR) identifying said PK, said authorized user comprising a user having a Content Consumer License (CCL) compatible with the PK to enable thereby said decryption of said encrypted content by said PK included within said PDP and use of decrypted content in accordance with advanced permissions indicated via said CCL;
• propagating, via a network, the PDP toward at least one user;
• and
• in response to receiving from a proposed authorized user a CCLR identifying said PK, propagating a CCL compatible with the PK toward said proposed authorized user.

A non-transitory computer readable medium including software instructions which, when executed by a processer, perform a method for securely distributing content, comprising:

• generating, at a server in communication with a network, a protected document package (PDP) including encrypted content or a link to encrypted content, a Publisher Key (PK) for decrypting said encrypted content for presentation of said content by an authorized user via a Limited Capability Viewer (LCV), and software instructions which, when executed by a processor at a user device of a proposed authorized user, cause said user device to generate a Content Consumer License Request (CCLR) identifying said PK, said authorized user comprising a user having a Content Consumer License (CCL) compatible with the PK to enable thereby said decryption of said encrypted content by said PK included within said PDP and use of decrypted content in accordance with advanced permissions indicated via said CCL;
• propagating, via said network, the PDP toward at least one user;
• and
• in response to receiving from a proposed authorized user a CCLR identifying said PK, propagating a CCL compatible with the PK toward said proposed authorized user;
• said method further comprising enabling an authorized user communicating via a secure tunnel or virtual private network to modify PDP content via an editing mode associated with said LCV.

A method for securely receiving content at a user device including a memory and a processor, said processor configured for:

• receiving, at said user device, a protected document package (PDP) including encrypted content or a link to encrypted content, a Publisher Key (PK) for decrypting said encrypted content for presentation of said content by an authorized user via a Limited Capability Viewer (LCV), and software instructions which, when executed by a processor at a user device of a proposed authorized user, cause said user device to generate a Content Consumer License Request (CCLR) identifying said PK, said authorized user comprising a user having a Content Consumer License (CCL) compatible with the PK to enable thereby said decryption of said encrypted content by said PK included within said PDP and use of decrypted content in accordance with advanced permissions indicated via said CCL;
• in response to a determination that a CCL compatible with the PK included within the PDP is available at the user device, storing, in user device memory, encrypted content included within said PDP or retrieved via a link included within said PDP and presenting, via a user device LCV, the stored encrypted content;
• in response to a determination that a CCL compatible with the PK included within the PDP is not available at the user device, transmitting a Content Consumer License Request (CCLR).