Patent ID: 7200574
Filing Date: 2007-04-03
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
1. In a computer controlled system for the distribution of digital works including content and usage rights associated therewith, the usage rights specifying a manner of use of content of the digital works, the usage right also specifying a digital ticket that indicates a predetermined number of times that said usage right may be exercised, said system including at least one repository for enforcing usage rights, a method for controlling the number of times that a usage right associated with a digital work may be exercised, said method comprising the steps of: storing said content, said usage right and said digital ticket in at least one storage; receiving a request to access said digital work, said request specifying said usage right; determining if said digital ticket for said usage right indicates that said usage right has been exercised said predetermined number of times; if said digital ticket indicates that said usage right has been exercised said predetermined number of times, denying access to said digital work; and if said digital ticket indicates that said usage right has not been exercised said predetermined number of times, granting access to said digital work and punching said digital ticket to indicate an instance of exercising said usage right, wherein said usage rights are separable from said content so that the content and the associated usage rights can be stored in different memory devices.