Using embedded data with file sharing

A method of controlling file-sharing in a file sharing system using embedded data, the method comprising:

• checking for the embedded data in a file designated for file sharing at a user's computer,
• determining from processing of the embedded data whether to allow transfer of the file to or from another computer in response to a request to share the file in the file sharing system
• and
• in response to the processing of the embedded data, instructing the user's computer to act according to the embedded data;
• wherein the user's computer interacts with the embedded data to control file-sharing in the file sharing system.

A method of controlling file-sharing in a file sharing system using embedded data, the method comprising:

• checking for the embedded data in a file designated for file sharing at a user's computer, and
• in response to finding the embedded data, instructing the user's computer to act according to the embedded data;
• wherein the user's computer interacts with the embedded data to control file-sharing in the file sharing system;
• wherein the embedded data comprises a watermark embedded in content in the file, the watermark being embedded within the content by modifying the content with changes that are imperceptible to humans;
• and wherein the watermark includes data used to control transfer of the file in the file sharing system.

A method of controlling file-sharing using embedded data, the method comprising:

• embedding data in a file before releasing the file for file-sharing,
• checking for the embedded data in the file at a user's computer, and
• having the user's computer act according to the embedded data;
• wherein the embedded data includes a digital watermark that carries an identifier, and the identifier serves as an index to an entry in a database that includes information about the file to enable searching for the file based on the information in the entry, the database indicating files available for sharing in the file sharing system.

A file sharing system comprising:

• a memory;
• a file sharing client in communication with the memory and operable to locate a file available for sharing on one or more remote devices, and
• an embedded data decoder in communication with the memory and operable to check the file for embedded data, and to instruct the file sharing client to act according to the embedded data;
• wherein the embedded data includes a digital watermark that carries an identifier, and the identifier serves as an index to an entry in a database that includes information about the file to enable searching for the file based on the information in the entry, the database indicating files available for sharing in the file sharing system.

A method of controlling file-sharing in a file sharing system that includes a searchable database enabling users to search for files in the file sharing system, the method comprising:

• receiving a search request including information about a file from a user of the file sharing system to find a file based on matching information about the file in the searchable database;
• locating a file in response to the search request;
• receiving a file transfer request for the located file;
• and
• transferring the located file to a device that made the file transfer request, wherein the located file includes embedded data in media content in the file, and wherein the embedded data includes a digital watermark that carries an identifier, and the identifier serves as an index to an entry in a database that includes information about the file to enable searching for the file based on the information in the entry.

A method of controlling file-sharing in a file sharing system using embedded data, the method comprising:

• checking for the embedded data in a file designated for file sharing at a user's computer, and
• in response to finding the embedded data, instructing the user's computer to act according to the embedded data;
• wherein the user's computer interacts with the embedded data to control file-sharing in the file sharing system, and wherein the embedded data includes an identifier of content in the file that facilitates automated searching for the file;
• and wherein the identifier serves as an index to an entry in a database that includes word descriptors about the file to enable searching for the file based on the word descriptors in the entry, the database indicating files available for sharing in the file sharing system.