System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works

A method for controlling distribution and use of digital works comprising the steps of:

• a) attaching a set of usage rights to a digital work, each of said usage rights defining a specific instance of how a digital work may be used or distributed, said usage right specifying one or more conditions which must be satisfied in order for said usage right to be exercised and a next set of usage rights to be attached to a distributed digital work;
• b) storing said digital work and its attached usage rights in a first repository;
• c) a second repository initiating a request to access said digital work in said first repository, said request identifying a usage right representing how said second repository desires to use said digital work;
• d) said first repository receiving said request from said second repository;
• e) said first repository determining if the identified usage right is attached to said digital work;
• f) said first repository denying access to said digital work if said identified usage right is not attached to said digital work;
• g) if said identified usage right is attached to said digital work, said first repository determining if conditions specified by said usage right are satisfied;
• h) if said conditions are not satisfied, said first repository denying access to said digital work;
• i) if said conditions are satisfied, said first repository attaching a next set of usage rights to said digital work, said next set of usage rights specifying how said second repository may use and distribute said digital work;
• and
• j) said first repository transmitting said digital work and said attached next set of usage rights to said second repository.

A system for controlling distribution and use of digital works comprising:

• means for attaching usage rights to said digital work, said usage rights indicating how a recipient may use and subsequently distribute said digital work;
• a communications medium for coupling repositories to enable distribution of digital works;
• a plurality of repositories for managing exchange of digital works based on usage rights attached to said digital works, each of said plurality of repositories comprising:
• a storage means for storing digital works and their attached usage rights;
• a processor operating responsive to coded instructions;
• a memory means coupled to said processor for storing coded instruction to enable said processor to operate in a first server mode for processing access requests to digital works and for attaching usage rights to digital works when transmitted to another of said plurality of repositories, a second requester mode for initiating requests to access digital works, and a session initiation mode for establishing a trusted session with another of said plurality of repositories over said communications medium;
• a clock;
• a repository interface for coupling to said communications medium.

A method for secure access of digital works stored on a server repository, said digital works having associated therewith one or more usage rights for specifying how said digital work may be used or distributed, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) a requesting repository performing a first registration transaction with a server repository, said first registration transaction for establishing to said server repository that said requesting repository is trustworthy;
• b) concurrently with step a), said server repository responding with a second registration transaction, said second registration transaction for establishing to said requesting repository that said server repository is trustworthy;
• c) if either said first registration transaction or said second registration transaction fails, said server repository denying access to said digital work;
• d) if said first registration transaction and said second registration transaction are successful, said requesting repository initiating a usage transaction with respect to a digital work stored in said server repository, said usage transaction indicating a request to access a digital work and specifying a particular usage right;
• e) determining if said usage transaction may be completed by comparing said particular usage right specified in said usage transaction and usage rights associated with said digital work;
• f) if said particular usage right is not one of said usage rights associated with said digital work, denying access to said digital work;
• and
• g) if said particular usage right is one of said usage rights associated with said digital work, granting access to said digital work and performing usage transaction steps associated with said particular usage right.