System for controlling the distribution and use of composite digital works

A repository for storing and controlling access to composite digital works comprising:

• an interface means for receiving requests to access digital works stored therein;
• a first storage unit for storing digital data representing digital works;
• a second storage unit for storing description structures for digital works stored in said first storage unit, said description structure comprising a plurality of description blocks, each of said description blocks comprising:
• a pointer to a parent description block, one or more pointers to children description blocks, a pointer to a corresponding part of a digital work stored in said first storage unit and a usage rights part for storing one or more usage rights, each of said usage rights specifying an instance of how said part may be used;
• a transactions processor for processing requests to access a digital work, said transactions processor comprising a means for identifying a usage right from a request to access said digital work, and a means for determining if a description block contains an identified usage right.

A system for controlling access to and usage of composite digital works between computer based systems, said composite digital work comprised of a plurality of digital works, said system comprising:

• means for attaching usage rights to digital works, said usage rights indicating how a recipient of a digital work may use and subsequently distribute said digital work;
• means for creating a description structure for said composite digital work, said description structure comprising a description block for each digital work of said composite digital work, said description block comprising said usage rights for said digital work and addressing information for said digital work;
• a plurality of repositories for managing exchange of composite digital works based on usage rights attached to said digital works comprising a composite digital work, each of said plurality of repositories associated with a computer based system and comprising a storage means for storing digital works, a processor having a first server mode of operation for processing access requests to said digital works and a second requester mode of operation for initiating requests to access digital works, a timekeeping means and a connection means;
• a rendering system for rendering of digital works, said rendering system comprising a rendering repository for secure receipt of composite digital works and a rendering device having means for converting digital signals to signals suitable for rendering of said digital works comprising said composite digital work.