System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets
AssigneeContentGuard, Inc.
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.
Claims48
A method that controls access to digital worlks comprising the steps of:
- creating a digital work comprising content, one or more usage rights specifying a manner of use, and a digital ticket, the digital ticket being a digital work;
- associating the one or more usage rights with the content, wherein at least one of the usage rights specifies the digital ticket;
- storing the digital work;
- distributing the digital ticket;
- receiving a request for access to the digital work based on the at least one usage right specifying the digital ticket;
- determining if a requester possesses the digital ticket;
- and
- granting access to the content in accordance with the manner of usage specified by said at least one usage right if the requester possesses the digital ticket, wherein said granting step is not only a Boolean operator for filtering.
An information storage media comprising program code that controls access to digital works, said storage media comprising:
- content, one or more usage rights specifying a manner of use, and a digital ticket, the digital ticket being a digital work;
- program code that distributes the digital ticket;
- program code that receives a request for access to the digital work based on the at least one usage right specifying the digital ticket;
- program code that determines if the requester possesses the digital ticket;
- and
- program code that grants access to the content in accordance with the manner of use specified by said at least one usage right if the requester possesses the digital ticket, wherein said
- program code that grants access is not only a Boolean operator for filtering.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.