Method and system for facilitating search, selection, preview, purchase evaluation, offering for sale, distribution, and/or sale of digital content and enhancing the security thereof

A method for specifying and controlling the release of an original configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of:

• providing a rendering protocol interface, wherein said rendering protocol interface being implemented on a computer system and adapted for specifying at least a first status of a masking effect, wherein said first status of said masking effect is adapted for applying said masking effect on said digital work thereby defining a masked configuration of said digital work;
• said masked configuration of said digital work being adapted for interfering with at least one of—viewing hearing displaying and rendering of said digital work in said original configuration and providing at least a preview version of said digital work;
• providing a rendering protocol facility, wherein said rendering protocol facility being implemented on said computer system and adapted for controlling the release of said original configuration of said digital work;
• said rendering protocol facility comprising a security module, said security module being adapted for restricting access to said rendering protocol interface and preventing unauthorized modification of said masked configuration of said digital work;
• and
• allowing a user to access said preview version of said digital work.

A method for controlling access to an original configuration of a digital work, comprising the steps of:

• structuring said digital work into at least a first digital segment and a second digital segment, said step of structuring said digital work being implemented on a computer system;
• selecting at least a first masking effect for masking at least said second digital segment;
• and
• masking at least said second digital segment with said first masking effect by utilizing at least a first masking key;
• said at least first masking effect being adapted for interfering with at least one of—viewing hearing displaying and rendering of said digital work in said original configuration and providing at least a preview version of said digital work.

A method for providing a stealth information product for delivering information in a secure manner;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• providing a stealth information product comprising at least one encrypted sensitive content segment and at least one unencrypted content segment;
• wherein said unencrypted content segment is superposed onto said encrypted sensitive content segment, thereby digitally masking said encrypted sensitive content segment and offering the semblance of a complete and innocuous information product;
• said step of providing said stealth information product being implemented on a computer system;
• requiring satisfactory completion of at least one unmasking procedure, and
• requiring satisfactory completion of at least one decrypting procedure for accessing said encrypted sensitive content segment.