Patent ID: 7359517
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for managing access to electronic documents, comprising: associating a first key with an encrypted document decryption key, the encrypted document decryption key being associated with an encrypted document, the encrypted document decryption key when decrypted yielding a document decryption key usable to decrypt the encrypted document, the first key being usable to decrypt the encrypted document decryption key; encrypting the first key to produce an encrypted first key; providing the encrypted first key in a first access controlled manner to users for use in opening the encrypted document; associating with the encrypted first key a second key that can be used to decrypt the encrypted first key; and providing the second key in a second access controlled manner to users for use in opening all documents that can be opened through use of the first key, the second access controlled manner being distinct from the first access controlled manner, wherein providing the second key in an access controlled manner comprises sending information used to synthesize the second key in rights management information, and wherein the rights management information provides a license and defines a set of permission rights associated with the license, and wherein the set of permission rights specifies a right allowing another key to be associated with the rights management information so that a holder of such a key has access to the first key.