# US 8,572,761 B2 · Method and system for preventing unauthorized reproduction of electronic media > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,572,761 B2 - Document ID: US8572761B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/301,726 - Filed: 2011-11-21 - Published: 2012-05-24 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2004-07-08 - Assignees: Media Rights Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Hank Risan; Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Inventors: Hank Risan; Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8572761B2 ## CPC - G06F 21/10: Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material (protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16) {; Digital rights management [DRM]} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A method for selectively controlling access to electronic media disposed on a media storage device according to one embodiment is described. The method comprises creating a first list comprising a plurality of process identification values. Each of the plurality of process identification values of the first list is associated with a software application that is accessing the media disposed upon the media storage device. The method further includes creating a second list comprising a second plurality of process identification values. Each of the second plurality of process identification values is associated with a software application that is storing data. The method further includes determining that a particular software application is creating an unauthorized copy of the media disposed upon the media storage device. The method further includes preventing the particular software application from storing a usable copy of said electronic media. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for preventing unauthorized reproduction of electronic media disposed on a media storage device, said method comprising: creating a first list comprising a first element associated with an accessing application of said electronic media, wherein said first element comprises a first process identification value; creating a second list comprising a second element associated with a storing application storing a portion of data, wherein said second element comprises a second process identification value; utilizing said first list in conjunction with said second list to determine that said accessing application and said storing application are portions of an unauthorized reproduction application for creating an unauthorized copy of said electronic media; and preventing said unauthorized reproduction application from storing a usable copy of said electronic media wherein said preventing comprises removing at least a portion of said unauthorized reproduction application from a computer upon which said unauthorized reproduction application is installed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said determining further comprises: determining that said first element and said second element match. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said determining further comprises: determining that said application is storing a data file larger than a pre-defined parameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: assigning a first time stamp to said first element when said accessing application accesses said electronic media; assigning a second time stamp to said second element when said storing application stores said data; and comparing said first time stamp and said second time stamp for said determining. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: determining that said electronic media comprises copyright protected media. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising: determining that said electronic media is encrypted using the content scrambling system (CSS) encryption algorithm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method as recited in claim 5 further comprising accessing an indication disposed upon said media storage device that said electronic media comprises said copyright protected media, said indication selected from the group consisting essentially of: a data file, a portion of a data file, a hash of a data file, and a unique identifier of said electronic media. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said preventing comprises preventing said unauthorized reproduction application from accessing said electronic media. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said preventing comprises introducing errors during the storing of said data wherein said unauthorized copy of said electronic media is rendered unusable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: decoupling said media storage device from a computer that is accessing said electronic media. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: invoking an ejection of said electronic media from said media storage device, said electronic media being accessed by a computer coupled to said media storage device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising: installing a compliance mechanism on a computer, said compliance mechanism communicatively coupled with said computer when installed thereon, said compliance mechanism for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to said electronic media; obtaining control of a data pathway operable on said computer using said compliance mechanism; accessing usage restriction data disposed upon said media storage device; and preventing said electronic media on said media storage device from being captured by an extractor mechanism. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising: determining that a first instance of said compliance mechanism which is installed on said computer has been disabled; and automatically invoking a second instance of said compliance mechanism which is installed on said computer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said first instance of said compliance mechanism and said second instance of said compliance mechanism are uniquely identified when installed on said computer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising: automatically installing a third instance of said compliance mechanism on said computer in response to determining that said first instance of said compliance mechanism has been disabled. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising: activating an autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device in response to a device drive coupled with said computer receiving said media storage device, said autorun mechanism for initiating said installing said compliance mechanism on said computer. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16 further comprising: monitoring said device drive to determine whether an autorun functionality of said device drive has been disabled; and automatically activating said autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said usage restriction involves a copyright restriction or a licensing agreement associated with said electronic media. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The method as recite in claim 12 further comprising: preventing access to said electronic media until a triggering event indicates that accessing said electronic media is permitted. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The method as recited in claim 12 further comprising: initiating a communication session between said computer and a network to which said computer is coupled and from which said compliance mechanism is available; comparing said compliance mechanism present on said computer and said compliance mechanism available from said network; and updating said compliance mechanism on said computer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method as recited in claim 20 further comprising: receiving said compliance mechanism during said communication session if an instance of said compliance mechanism is not disposed on said computer. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The method as recited in claim 20 further comprising: receiving a list of applications that are not authorized to access to said electronic media. ### Claim 23 A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing computer implementable instructions for causing a computer system to perform a method for preventing unauthorized reproduction of electronic media disposed on a media storage device, said method comprising: creating a first list comprising a first element associated with an accessing application of said electronic media, wherein said first element comprises a first process identification value; creating a second list comprising a second element associated with a storing application storing a portion of data, wherein said second element comprises a second process identification value; utilizing said first list in conjunction with said second list to determine that said accessing application and said storing application is an unauthorized reproduction application creating an unauthorized copy of said electronic media; and preventing said unauthorized reproduction application from storing a usable copy of said electronic media wherein said preventing comprises removing at least a portion of said unauthorized reproduction application from a computer upon which said unauthorized reproduction application is installed. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said determining further comprises: determining that said first element and said second element match. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 24 wherein said determining further comprises: determining that said unauthorized reproduction application is storing a data file larger than a pre-defined parameter. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said method further comprises: assigning a first time stamp to said first element when said accessing application accesses said electronic media; assigning a second time stamp to said second element when said storing application stores said data; and comparing said first time stamp and said second time stamp for said determining. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said method further comprises: determining that said electronic media comprises copyright protected media. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 27 further comprising: determining that said electronic media is encrypted using the content scrambling system (CSS) encryption algorithm. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 27 wherein said method further comprises accessing an indication disposed upon said media storage device that said electronic media comprises copyright protected media, said indication selected from the group consisting essentially of: a data file, a portion of a data file, a hash of a data file, and a unique identifier of said electronic media. ### Claim 30 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said preventing comprises preventing said unauthorized reproduction application from accessing said electronic media. ### Claim 31 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said preventing comprises introducing errors during the storing of said data wherein said unauthorized copy of said electronic media is rendered unusable. ### Claim 32 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said method further comprises: decoupling said media storage device from a computer that is accessing said electronic media. ### Claim 33 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said method further comprises: invoking an ejection of said electronic media from said media storage device, said electronic media being accessed by a computer coupled to said media storage device. ### Claim 34 (depends on 23) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 23 wherein said method further comprises: installing a compliance mechanism on a computer, said compliance mechanism communicatively coupled with said computer when installed thereon, said compliance mechanism for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to said electronic media; obtaining control of a data pathway operable on said computer using said compliance mechanism; accessing usage restriction data disposed upon said media storage device; and preventing said electronic media on said media storage device from being captured by an extractor mechanism. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said method further comprises: determining that a first instance of said compliance mechanism which is installed on said computer has been disabled; and automatically invoking a second instance of said compliance mechanism which is installed on said computer. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35, wherein said first instance of said compliance mechanism and said second instance of said compliance mechanism are uniquely identified when installed on said computer. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 35 wherein said method further comprises: automatically installing a third instance of said compliance mechanism on said computer in response to determining that said first instance of said compliance mechanism has been disabled. ### Claim 38 (depends on 34) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said method further comprises: activating an autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device in response to a device drive coupled with said computer receiving said media storage device, said autorun mechanism for initiating said installing said compliance mechanism on said computer. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 38 wherein said method further comprises: monitoring said device drive to determine whether an autorun functionality of said device drive has been disabled; and automatically activating said autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device. ### Claim 40 (depends on 34) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said usage restriction comprises a copyright restriction or a licensing agreement associated with said electronic media. ### Claim 41 (depends on 34) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said method further comprises: preventing access to said electronic media until a triggering event indicates that accessing said electronic media is permitted. ### Claim 42 (depends on 34) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 wherein said method further comprises: initiating a communication session between said computer and a network to which said computer is coupled and from which said compliance mechanism is available; comparing said compliance mechanism present on said computer and said compliance mechanism available from said network; and updating said compliance mechanism on said computer. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 42 wherein said method further comprises: receiving said compliance mechanism during said communication session if an instance of said compliance mechanism is not disposed on said computer. ### Claim 44 (depends on 41) The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41 wherein said method further comprises: receiving a list of applications that are not authorized to access to said electronic media. ### Claim 45 A system for preventing unauthorized reproduction of electronic media disposed on a media storage device comprising: a first monitoring mechanism for creating a first list comprising a first process identification value, wherein said first process identification value is associated with an accessing application of said electronic media; a second monitoring mechanism for creating a second list comprising a second process identification value, wherein said second process identification value is associated with a storing application of data; and a control mechanism for utilizing an input from said first monitoring mechanism in conjunction with an input from said second monitoring mechanism to determine that said access application and said storing application are portions of an unauthorized reproduction application for creating an unauthorized copy of said media, said control mechanism preventing said unauthorized reproduction application from storing a usable copy of said data, wherein said control mechanism removes at least a portion of said unauthorized reproduction application from a computer system upon which said unauthorized reproduction application is installed. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism compares said first list with said second list and matches a process identification value from said first list with a corresponding process identification value from said second list. ### Claim 47 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism determines that said unauthorized reproduction application is storing a data file larger than a pre-defined parameter. ### Claim 48 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism compares a first time stamp value assigned to said process identification value of said first list with a second time stamp value assigned to said process identification value of said second list and determines that a time interval below a pre-defined parameter has elapsed. ### Claim 49 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism determines that said electronic media comprises copyright protected media. ### Claim 50 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism determines that said electronic media is encrypted using a content scrambling system (CSS) encryption algorithm. ### Claim 51 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism determines that said electronic media comprises copyright protected media by accessing an indication disposed upon said media storage device that said electronic media comprises copyright protected media, said indication selected from the group consisting essentially of: a data file, a portion of a data file, a hash of a data file, and a unique identifier of said electronic media. ### Claim 52 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism prevents said unauthorized reproduction application from accessing said electronic media. ### Claim 53 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism introduces errors during the storing of said data such that said data is rendered unusable. ### Claim 54 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism decouples said media storage device from a computer that is accessing said media. ### Claim 55 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 wherein said control mechanism invokes an ejection of said electronic media from said media storage device, said electronic media being accessed by a computer coupled to said media storage device. ### Claim 56 (depends on 45) The system of claim 45 further comprising: a compliance mechanism configured to be installed on and communicatively coupled with a computer, said compliance mechanism for enforcing compliance with a usage restriction applicable to said electronic media by preventing capture of said electronic media on said media storage device by an extractor mechanism via a data pathway while enabling presentation of said electronic media. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The system of claim 56 wherein a first instance of said compliance mechanism installed on said computer determines that a second instance of said compliance mechanism installed on said computer has been disabled and automatically becomes an active compliance mechanism for said computer. ### Claim 58 (depends on 57) The system of claim 57 wherein said first instance of said compliance mechanism and said second instance of said compliance mechanism are uniquely identified when installed on said computer. ### Claim 59 (depends on 57) The system of claim 57 wherein said first instance of said compliance mechanism automatically installs a third instance of said compliance mechanism on said computer in response to determining that said second instance of said compliance mechanism has been disabled. ### Claim 60 (depends on 56) The system of claim 56 further comprising: an autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device in response to a device drive coupled with said computer receiving said media storage device, said autorun mechanism for initiating said installing said compliance mechanism on said computer. ### Claim 61 (depends on 60) The system of claim 60 wherein said compliance mechanism automatically activates said autorun mechanism disposed on said media storage device in response to determining that an autorun functionality of said device drive has been disabled. ### Claim 62 (depends on 56) The system of claim 56 wherein said usage restriction comprises a copyright restriction or a licensing agreement associated with said electronic media. ### Claim 63 (depends on 56) The system of claim 56 wherein said compliance mechanism prevents access to said electronic media until a triggering event occurs indicating that accessing said electronic media is permitted. ### Claim 64 (depends on 56) The system of claim 56 wherein said computer initiates a communication session with a network and receives said compliance mechanism via said network. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The system of claim 64 wherein said compliance mechanism is updated during said communication session. ### Claim 66 (depends on 64) The system of claim 64 wherein said compliance mechanism receives a list of software applications that are not authorized to access said electronic media.