Method and apparatus for on demand video and other content rental

A non-transitory machine readable medium storing a program which when executed by at least one processing unit of a content distribution server causes the at least one processing unit to perform operations comprising:

• receiving, over a network, a request from a client device for content;
• transmitting, over the network, at least a portion of the content to the client device in an encrypted form;
• transmitting, over the network, a rental key to the client device that is valid for a first period of time during which the client device may begin play back of the content;
• upon receiving, over the network, a request from the client device to play back the content within the first period of time, transmitting, over the network, to the client device a decryption key that enables the client device to play back the content over a second period of time that is different than the first period of time;
• and
• streaming, based at least in part on the first period of time associated with the rental key and the second period of time associated with the decryption key, at least another portion of the content to the client device in encrypted form during the second period of time.

A device comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• at least one processor configured to:
• receive, over a network, a request from a client device for content;
• transmit, over the network, at least a portion of the content to the client device in an encrypted form;
• transmit, over the network, a rental key to the client device that is valid for a first period of time during which the client device may begin play back of the content;
• upon receipt, over the network, of a request from the client device to play back the content within the first period of time, transmit, over the network, to the client device a decryption key that enables the client device to play back the content over a second period of time that is different than the first period of time;
• and
• stream, based at least in part on digital rights associated with the rental key and the decryption key, at least another portion of the content to the client device in encrypted form during the second period of time.

A system comprising:

• a content distribution server comprising a memory and at least one processor, the at least one processor configured to:
• receive, over a network, a request from a client device for content;
• transmit, over the network, at least a portion of the content to the client device in an encrypted form;
• transmit, over the network, a rental key to the client device that is valid for a first period of time during which the client device may begin play back of the content;
• upon receipt, over the network, of a request from the client device to play back the content within the first period of time, transmit, over the network, to the client device a decryption key that enables the client device to play back the content over a second period of time that is different than the first period of time;
• and
• stream, based at least in part on digital rights associated with the rental key and the decryption key, at least another portion of the content to the client device in encrypted form during the second period of time.