Secure online access control for accessing media content from discs

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors, and when executed being operable to:
• send authentication instructions to a disc player having a disc inserted therein, wherein the disc comprises media content without a plurality of files that are required by the disc player for playback of the media content;
• determine if the disc in the disc player is valid by comparing information received from the disc player against information stored in a database;
• receive viewer verification information from the disc player to determine if a viewer is authorized to view the playback of the media content on the disc;
• send an error indication if the disc is determined to be invalid and/or the viewer is determined to be unauthorized;
• and
• send the plurality of files that are required for the playback of the media content to the disc player if the viewer is authorized and the disc is valid.

A method of controlling playback of content, the method comprising:

• launching an authentication application for a disc in a disc player, wherein the disc comprises media content without a plurality of files that are required by the disc player for playback of the media content;
• receiving a disc valid indication from a server to indicate if the disc in the disc player is valid;
• receiving an authorized viewer indication from the server to indicate if a viewer is authorized to view the playback of the media content on the disc;
• displaying an error indication in response to the disc valid indication and/or the authorized viewer indication being in a first state;
• downloading the plurality of files that are required for the playback of the media content from the server if both the disc valid indication and the authorized viewer indication are in a second state;
• and
• playing the media content on the disc player using the downloaded plurality of files.

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the one or more processors, and when executed being operable to:
• launch an authentication application for a disc in a disc player, wherein the disc comprises media content without a plurality of files that are required by the disc player for playback of the media content;
• receive a disc valid indication from a server to indicate if the disc in the disc player is valid;
• receive an authorized viewer indication from the server to indicate if a viewer is authorized to view the playback of the media content on the disc;
• display an error indication in response to the disc valid indication and/or the authorized viewer indication being in a first state;
• download the plurality of files that are required for the playback of the media content from the server if both the disc valid indication and the authorized viewer indication are in a second state;
• and
• play the media content on the disc player using the downloaded plurality of files.