System and method for distributing electronic content utilizing electronic license keys

A method of distributing electronic content from a content creator to an end-user operating an end-user device, wherein the end-user device includes a unique identifier for the end-user device, a processor, a program memory that stores computer program instructions for execution by the processor, and protected decryption software for decrypting encrypted electronic content, said method comprising the steps of:

• selling a license token to the end-user, said license token having a monetary value, and said license token being unrelated to any specific electronic content;
• distributing the license token to the end-user device;
• downloading encrypted electronic content to the end-user device, said content having a content identifier and an associated monetary cost;
• determining by the processor in the end-user device whether the monetary value of the license token is sufficient to pay the monetary cost of the encrypted electronic content;
• upon determining that the monetary value of the license token is sufficient to pay the monetary cost of the encrypted electronic content, the processor causing the end-user device to perform the steps of:
• consuming the license token;
• generating a unique license key for accessing the protected decryption software utilizing as inputs, the unique identifier for the end-user device and the content identifier for the selected electronic content piece;
• and
• decrypting the downloaded encrypted electronic content.

An apparatus in an end-user device for receiving from a distributor, electronic content created by a content creator, said apparatus comprising:

• a purchasing mechanism for purchasing a plurality of license tokens from the distributor, each of the license tokens having a monetary value, and the license tokens being unrelated to any specific electronic content;
• a secure memory associated with the end-user device for storing the plurality of license tokens;
• communication means for receiving from the distributor, a menu comprising a plurality of electronic content pieces, each of the electronic content pieces having a different content identifier and an associated monetary cost;
• means for receiving an input from the user selecting from the menu a desired electronic content piece;
• a data downloading mechanism for downloading the selected electronic content piece from the distributor in encrypted form;
• protected decryption software for decrypting the encrypted electronic content;
• and
• a processor for determining whether the monetary value of the stored license tokens is sufficient to pay the monetary cost of the selected electronic content piece, and for causing the end-user device to consume at least one of the stored license tokens and to generate a unique license key when the monetary value of the license token is sufficient, wherein the unique license key is utilized to access the protected decryption software, and the unique license key is generated utilizing as inputs, a unique identifier for the end-user device and the content identifier for the selected electronic content piece in order to generate a unique license key that enables only the end-user device to decrypt only the selected electronic content piece;
• wherein the decryption software decrypts the selected electronic content piece upon access by the license key.

A method in an end-user device for receiving from a distributor, electronic content created by a content creator, wherein the end-user device includes a unique identifier for the end-user device, a processor, a program memory that stores computer program instructions for execution by the processor, and protected decryption software for decrypting encrypted electronic content, wherein when the processor executes the computer program instructions, the processor causes the end-user device to perform the following steps:

• purchasing a plurality of license tokens from the distributor, each of the license tokens having a monetary value, and the license tokens being unrelated to any specific electronic content;
• storing the plurality of license tokens in a secure memory associated with the end-user device;
• receiving from the distributor, a menu listing a multitude of electronic content pieces, each of the electronic content pieces having a different content identifier and an associated monetary cost;
• downloading from the distributor, a plurality of encrypted electronic content pieces listed on the menu;
• selecting from the downloaded encrypted electronic content pieces, a desired electronic content piece for consumption, the electronic piece having a content identifier;
• determining whether the monetary value of the stored license tokens is sufficient to pay the monetary cost of the selected electronic content piece;
• in response to a determination that the monetary value of the stored license tokens is sufficient to pay the monetary cost of the encrypted electronic content:
• consuming at least one of the stored license tokens;
• generating a unique license key for the end-user device and the selected electronic content piece utilizing as inputs, the unique identifier for the end-user device and the content identifier for the selected electronic content piece;
• accessing the decryption software utilizing the unique license key;
• and
• decrypting the selected electronic content piece utilizing the decryption software while verifying that the unique identifier of the end-user device matches the information provided in the license key.