Selective inactivation and copy-protection

A method for selectively preventing the access by a client to data-on-demand (DOD) services comprising the acts of:

• receiving at least one DOD service, and
• receiving at least one associated expiration information packet corresponding to said at least one DOD service, wherein said at least one expiration information packet indicates a first predetermined time after which said at least one DOD service may no longer be accessed;
• and
• storing at least a portion of said at least one DOD service in a memory location.

A set-top-box (STB) for receiving data-on-demand comprising:

• a databus;
• a first communication device suitable for coupling to a digital broadcast communications medium, said first communication device operable to receive digital broadcast data, wherein said digital broadcast data includes at least one DOD service;
• memory bi-directionally coupled to said databus, said memory including computer executable instructions for:
• a) reading at least a portion of said digital broadcast data, said digital broadcast data including expiration information associated with said DOD service;
• b) determining whether said received DOD service is expired based on said expiration information;
• and
• c) when said DOD service is expired, preventing access to said DOD service;
• a digital data decoder bi-directionally coupled to said databus;
• a central processing unit (CPU) bi-directionally coupled to said databus, said CPU implementing a STB control process controlling said memory, said first communications device and said digital decoder, said STB control process operable to process digital data received at said first communications device.