System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works

A method for securely rendering digital documents, comprising:

• storing a digital document in a document repository;
• storing at least one usage right associated with the digital document;
• requesting access to the digital document from a document platform;
• determining whether the request may be granted based on the usage right, the determining step including authenticating the document platform and determining whether the usage right includes a manner of use that allows transfer of the digital document to the document platform;
• if the usage right allows the transfer of the digital document to the document platform, transferring at the digital document to the document platform;
• and
• rendering the digital document by the document platform.

A method for securely rendering digital documents, comprising:

• receiving a request to transfer a digital document from a document repository to a document platform the digital document having at least one usage right associated therewith;
• authenticating the document platform by accessing at least one identifier associated with the document platform or with a user of the document platform and determining whether the identifier is associated with at least one of a document platform and user authorized to use the digital document;
• if the authenticating step is successful, determining whether the digital document may be transferred and stored on a document platform based on a manner of use included in the at least one usage right;
• if the at least one usage right allows the digital document to be transferred to a document platform, transferring the digital document to the document platform;
• and
• rendering the digital document by the document platform.