Patent ID: 7171016
Filing Date: 2007-01-30
Classification: B42D,G06F,G06K,G06Q,G06T,G07C,G07D,G07F,G10L,G11B,H04B,H04L,H04N,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of monitoring distribution of proprietary audio or image files on the Internet, comprising: obtaining audio or image files from plural different Internet sites; identifying plural of the obtained files having certain digital watermark data embedded therein, and decoding the digital watermark data therefrom, including decoding the digital watermark data with reference to public key data; by reference to said decoded digital watermark data, determining proprietors of each of said plural files; and sending information relating to results of the foregoing monitoring to said determined proprietors; wherein proprietors of audio or image files are alerted to otherwise unknown distribution of their audio or image properties on the Internet.