Preventing unauthorized distribution of content on computer networks
OwnerBernard Trestinventor
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Abstract
A method of interfering with unauthorized distribution of protected content via a computer network comprises receiving a query for content from a requesting device connected to the network; determining whether the query relates to the protected content; and in the event that the query relates to the protected content, automatically taking an interfering action in respect of the requesting device. An apparatus, computer program and system of network sentries is also provided.
Claims68
A method of interfering with unauthorized distribution of protected content via a computer network, the method comprising:
- receiving a query for content from a requesting device connected to the network;
- determining whether the query relates to the protected content;
- in the event that the query relates to the protected content, automatically taking an interfering action in respect of the requesting device.
An apparatus for interfering with unauthorized distribution of protected content via a computer network, the apparatus comprising:
- a communications interface for receiving a query for content from a requesting device connected to the network;
- a processor for determining whether the query relates to the protected content;
- the processor further for, in the event that the query relates to the protected content, automatically taking an interfering action in respect of the requesting device.
A system for interfering with unauthorized distribution of protected content via a computer network, the system comprising:
- a plurality of network sentries, each of the network sentries comprising:
- a communications interface for receiving a query for content from a requesting device connected to the network;
- a processor for determining whether the query relates to the protected content;
- and
- the processor further for, in the event that the query relates to the protected content, automatically taking an interfering action in respect of the requesting device;
- the system further comprising:
- a central server in communication with the network sentries for sharing communications addresses of devices connected to the network.
A computer readable medium including a computer program for interfering with unauthorized distribution of protected content via a computer network, the computer program comprising:
- computer program code for receiving a query for content from a requesting device connected to the network;
- computer program code for determining whether the query relates to the protected content;
- and
- computer program code for in the event that the query relates to the protected content, automatically taking an interfering action in respect of the requesting device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.