System and method for managing transfer of rights using shared state variables

A system for transferring rights associated with an item from a rights supplier to a rights consumer, the system comprising:

• a computing device configured to obtain a set of rights associated with the item, the set of rights including a first usage right and a meta-right, wherein the first usage right defines a manner of use for the item and the meta-right specifies a right to create a right to obtain a second usage right, and wherein the meta-right is provided in digital form and is enforceable by a repository;
• a computing device configured to determine whether the rights consumer is entitled to create the right to obtain the second usage right specified by the meta-right;
• and
• a computing device configured to exercise the meta-right to create the right to obtain the second usage right, wherein another rights consumer has the right to obtain the second usage right that shares a state with the first usage right.

A device for transferring rights associated with an item from a rights supplier to a rights consumer, the device comprising:

• a repository configured to obtain a set of rights associated with the item, the set of rights including a first usage right and a meta-right, wherein the first usage right defines a manner of use for the item and the meta-right specifies a right to create a right to obtain a second usage right, and wherein the meta-right is provided in digital form and is enforceable by a repository;
• a repository configured to determine whether a rights consumer is entitled to the right to create a right to obtain the second usage right specified by the meta-right;
• and
• a repository configured to exercise the meta-right to create a right to obtain the second usage right as specified by the meta-right, if the rights consumer is entitled to the right to create the right to obtain the second usage right specified by the meta-right, wherein another rights consumer has the right to obtain the second usage right that shares a state with the first usage right.