Proof-of-Purchase Watermarks

A backup server, comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• memory for storing code that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving a file for providing a backup service to a client device;
• sending a prompt to the client device for a proof of purchase for the file;
• receiving from the client device an electronic image of a sales receipt;
• determining a transaction identifier from the electronic image of the sales receipt, the transaction identifier associated with the file purchased as an authorized copy from an online retailer;
• sending the transaction identifier from the backup server to an address associated with the online retailer;
• digitally watermarking the electronic image of the sales receipt into the file to generate a third-party watermarked file that contains the electronic image of the sales receipt establishing that the client device purchased the file from the on-line store;
• receiving a request for a restoration copy of the file;
• and
• downloading the third-party-watermarked file to the client device as the restoration copy,
• wherein the electronic image of the sales receipt is restored to the client device.

A memory storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

• receiving a digital file sent from a client device to a backup server during an upload transaction, the digital file capable of being digitally watermarked, the digital file containing content for which a rights holder holds a copyright right in a content of the digital file, the backup server providing a file backup service to the client device;
• prompting the client device for authentication information that can be used to establish that the digital file was rightly obtained by the client device;
• receiving from the client device a transaction identifier identifying a transaction in which the client device purchased the digital file from an on-line store that sells authorized copies of digital files to purchasers;
• transmitting the transaction identifier from the backup server to the on-line store;
• receiving from the on-line store, in response to transmission of the transaction identifier, proof-of-purchase information establishing that the client device purchased the digital file from the on-line store;
• generating a third-party watermarked file that has the proof-of-purchase information digitally watermarked into the digital file;
• storing the third-party watermarked file as a restoration copy;
• downloading the third-party watermarked file to the client device;
• receiving a request for a restoration copy;
• and
• downloading the third-party watermarked file to the client device as the restoration copy,
• wherein the proof-of-purchase information is restored to the client device.