Patent ID: 7716487
Filing Date: 2010-05-11
Classification: G06F,G10L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A computer system capable of accessing and controlling use of a watermarked software object, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory having computer executable instructions stored therein; and wherein the processor, in response to the stored executable instructions: establishes a network connection to a watermark key; issues a request to a server for a new watermark key; reads a specific one of a plurality of identical watermarks embedded in the watermarked software object with different watermark keys so as to yield an actual watermark value, wherein the specific one watermark is defined by a predefined value of the watermark key that expires after a predefined period of time elapses since the predefined value of the watermark key was initially stored within the system; and the server in response to the request: reads a fingerprint of the watermarked software object, wherein the fingerprint is used by a publisher of the watermarked software object to identify a specific watermarked software object that is a subject of illegal copying or distribution; and sets usage rights applicable to the watermarked software object in response to the actual watermark value so as to control further use of the watermarked software object by the computer system.