Method and apparatus for storing and retrieving encrypted programming content such that it is accessible to authorized users from multiple set top boxes

A computer-readable medium encoded with instructions which, when executed by a processor, performs a method comprising:

• determining if programming content stored on a digital storage medium is encrypted using a first cryptography key uniquely associated with the set top box;
• if the content is not encrypted using the first cryptography key, acquiring a second cryptography key for decrypting an encrypted third cryptography key that was used to encrypt the content, wherein the third cryptography key is stored on the digital storage medium;
• decrypting the encrypted third cryptography key with the second key;
• and
• decrypting the content using the third cryptography key.

A set top box comprising:

• a receiver/tuner for receiving programming content over a broadband communications network;
• an encrypter/decrypter for encrypting and decrypting the programming content;
• a secure memory configured to store at least a first cryptography key to be used by the encrypter/decrypter to encrypt and decrypt the programming content;
• a digital storage medium for storing encrypted programming content;
• a multimedia processor operationally associated with the receiver/tuner, the decrypter, and the digital storage medium;
• a user interface operationally associated with the multimedia processor;
• and
• wherein the multimedia processor is configured to:
• encrypt decoded programming content using the first cryptography key stored in the secure memory and uniquely associated with the set top box;
• store the encrypted content on the digital storage medium;
• encrypt the first cryptography key using a second cryptography key to form an encrypted first cryptography key;
• and
• store the encrypted first cryptography key on the digital storage medium.