System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets
AssigneesContentGuard Holdings, Inc., Xerox Corporation
InventorsMark J. Stefik, Peter L. T. Pirolli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets. In the present invention, a “digital ticket” is used to entitle the ticket holder to exercise some usage right with respect to a digital work. Usage rights are used to define how a digital work may be used or distributed. Each usage right may specify a digital ticket which must be present before the right may be exercised. Digital works are stored in repositories which enforce a digital works usage rights. Each repository has a “generic ticket agent” which punches tickets. In some instances only the generic ticket agent is necessary. In other instances, punching by a “special ticket agent” residing on another repository may be needed.
Claims9
A method for controlling access to digital works in a network of computer based systems comprising the steps of:
- a) for a digital work requiring controlled access, attaching a plurality of usage rights to said digital work;
- b) for an associated one of said attached plurality of usage rights, specifying that a digital ticket must be possessed by a requesting repository as a condition for performance of said corresponding usage right to be granted;
- c) storing said digital work and attached usage rights in a first repository;
- d) creating and storing said digital ticket in a second repository, said digital ticket itself being an instance of a digital work;
- e) a third repository obtaining a copy of said digital ticket from said second repository;
- f) said third repository transmitting a request to access said digital work to said first repository, said request for access specifying said associated one of said plurality of usage rights that specifies said digital ticket;
- g) said first repository querying said third repository for said digital ticket;
- h) said third repository confirming possession of said digital ticket to said first repository;
- and
- i) said first repository validating said third repository possesses said digital ticket and transmitting said digital work to said third repository.
In a computer controlled system for the distribution of digital works, a method for controlling the access to said digital works, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) creating a digital work and a digital ticket, said digital ticket being an instance of a digital work;
- b) defining a plurality of usage rights for said digital work, wherein a first of said usage rights specifies said digital ticket and a special ticket agent for punching said digital ticket;
- c) storing said digital work in a first repository;
- d) distributing said digital ticket to a second repository;
- e) said second repository transmitting a request to access said digital work to said first repository, said request specifying said first usage right;
- f) said first repository determining if said second repository has said digital ticket;
- g) said second repository presenting said digital ticket to said first repository;
- h) said first repository presenting said digital ticket to said special ticket agent;
- i) said special ticket agent determining if said digital ticket is valid;
- j) if said digital ticket is invalid, said special ticket agent causing said request to access to be denied;
- k) if said digital ticket is valid, said special ticket agent punching said digital ticket;
- and
- l) said first repository granting access to said digital work by said second repository.
In a computer controlled system for the distribution of digital works, a method for distribution of upgrades to said digital works, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) creating a digital ticket, said digital ticket for permitting copying of an upgrade digital work, said digital ticket being an instance of a digital work;
- b) distributing said digital ticket and a corresponding digital work to a first repository for a fee;
- c) creating said upgrade digital work, said upgrade digital work having a copying right for permitting copying of said upgrade digital work to possessors of said digital ticket;
- d) storing said upgrade digital work in a second repository;
- e) said first repository transmitting a request to copy said upgrade digital work to said second repository;
- f) said second repository determining if said first repository has said digital ticket;
- g) said first repository presenting said digital ticket to said second repository;
- h) said second repository determining if said digital ticket is valid;
- i) if said digital ticket is invalid, said second repository causing said request to copy to be denied;
- j) if said digital ticket is valid, said second repository punching said digital ticket;
- and
- k) said second repository transmitting said upgrade digital work requested by said first repository.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.