Method and system for secure network-based distribution of content

A non-transitory computer readable medium including at least computer program code for storing media files to a centralized media storage such that they are ready for download, the computer readable medium comprising:

• computer program code for receiving media files in a media server from a centralized media storage comprising a plurality of different media servers, the media files pertaining to media items, and each of the media files having at least media content data and metadata describing characteristics of the associated media item;
• computer program code for obtaining a download key for each of the media files, the download keys being different for each of the media files;
• computer program code for encrypting the metadata for each of the media files with a global key that is unique to the media server from the plurality of media servers which the media file is stored, and subsequently;
• computer program code for encrypting each of the media files with the corresponding one of the download keys to produce encrypted media files;
• and
• computer program code for storing the encrypted media files to the centralized media store.

A media distribution system, comprising:

• a media storage device that stores a plurality of media files from a media server from among a plurality of media servers, each of the media files having at least media content data and metadata describing characteristics of the associated media item;
• and
• a media server operatively connected to the media storage device, the media server being configured to:
• receive media files pertaining to media items, each of the media files having at least media content data and metadata describing characteristics of the associated media item;
• generate a download key for each of the media files, the download keys being different for each of the media files;
• encrypt the metadata for each of the media files with a global key that is unique to the media server from the plurality of media servers which the media file is stored, and subsequently;
• encrypt each of the media files with the corresponding one of the download keys to produce encrypted media files;
• and
• store the encrypted media files to the media storage device.