EP0715244A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works utilizing a usage rights grammar
Assignee: Contentguard Holdings Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2015-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A system for controlling use and distribution of digital works. The present invention allows the owner of a digital work to attach usage rights (1450) to their work. The usage rights define how the individual digital work may be used and distributed (1451). Instances of usage rights are defined using a flexible and extensible usage rights grammar. Conceptually, a right in the usage rights grammar is a label associated with a predetermined behavior and conditions to exercising the right. The behavior of a usage right is embodied in a predetermined set (1452) of usage transactions steps. The usage transaction steps further check all conditions (1453-1457) which must be satisfied before the right may be exercised. These usage transaction steps define a protocol for requesting the exercise of a right and the carrying out of a right.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark J. Stefik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:19
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/04; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2105; G06F2221/2135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A distribution system for distributing digital works, said digital works having one or more usage rights attached thereto, said distribution system comprising: a grammar for creating instances of usage rights indicating a manner by which a possessor of an associated digital work may transport said associated digital work; means for creating usage rights from said grammar; means for attaching created usage rights to a digital work; a requester repository for accessing digital works, said requester repository having means for generating usage transactions, each said usage transaction specifying a usage right; a server repository for storing digital works with attached created usage rights, said server repository having means for processing usage transactions from said requester repository to determine if access to a digital work may be granted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
41 words
The distribution system as recited in Claim 1 wherein said grammar further specifies a default plurality of conditions for an instance of a usage right, wherein said one or more conditions must be satisfied before said usage right may be exercised.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The distribution system as recited in Claim 2 wherein said means for creating usage rights from said grammar is further comprised of means for changing said default plurality of conditions for an instance of a usage right.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The distribution system as recited in Claim 1 wherein said digital work is a software program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The distribution system as recited in Claim 1 wherein said grammar is further for creating a first version of a usage right having a first set of conditions and a second version of said usage right having a second set of conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
A computer based system for controlling distribution and use of digital works comprising: a usage rights grammar for creating instances of usages rights which define how a digital work may be used or distributed, said usage rights grammar comprising a first plurality of grammar elements for defining transport usage rights and a second plurality of grammar elements for defining rendering usage rights; means for attaching usage rights to digital works; a plurality of repositories for storing and exchanging digital works, each of said plurality of repositories comprising : means for storing digital works and their attached usage rights; transaction processing means having a requester mode of operation for requesting access to a requested digital work, said request specifying a usage right, and a server mode of operation for processing requests to access said requested digital work based on said usage right specified in said request and the usage rights attached to said requested digital work; and a coupling means for coupling to another of said plurality of repositories across a communications medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The computer based system for controlling distribution and use of digital works as recited in Claim 6 wherein said first plurality of grammar elements is comprised of: a loan grammar element for enabling a digital work to be loaned to another repository; a copy grammar element for enabling a copy of a digital work to be made and transported to another repository; and a transfer grammar element for enabling a digital work to be transferred to another repository.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer based system for controlling distribution and use of digital works as recited in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein said second plurality of grammar elements is comprised of: a play grammar element for enabling a digital work to be rendered on a specified class of player device; and a print grammar element for enabling a digital work to be printed on a specified class of printer device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
The computer based system for controlling distribution and use of digital works as recited in any one of Claims 6 to 8 wherein said grammar comprises one or more further pluralities of grammar elements, for defining file management usage rights, for enabling a digital work to be used in the creation of a new digital work,for enabling the secure installation and uninstallation of digital works comprising of software programs, or for providing a set of creator specified conditions which must be satisfied for each instantiation of a usage right defined by a grammar element.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
222 words
A method for controlling distribution and use of digital works comprising the steps of: a) creating a set of usage rights from a usage rights grammar, each of said usage rights defining a specific instance of how a digital work may be used or distributed, each of said usage rights specifying one or more conditions which must be satisfied in order for said usage right to be exercised; b) attaching said set of usage rights to a digital work; c) storing said digital work and its attached usage rights in a first repository; d) a second repository initiating a request to access said digital work in said first repository, said request specifying a usage right; e) said first repository receiving said request from said second repository; f) said first repository determining if said specified usage right is attached to said digital work; g) said first repository denying access to said digital work if said identified usage right is not attached to said digital work; h) if said identified usage right is attached to said digital work, said first repository determining if conditions specified by said usage right are satisfied; i) if said conditions are not satisfied, said first repository denying access to said digital work; j) if said conditions are satisfied, said first repository transmitting said digital work to said second repository.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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