Patent ID: 6236971
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: G06F,G06Q,H04L,H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for controlling access to digital works in a network of computer based systems comprising the steps of:a) for a digital work requiring controlled access, attaching a plurality of usage rights to said digital work;b) for an associated one of said attached plurality of usage rights, specifying that a digital ticket must be possessed by a requesting repository as a condition for performance of said corresponding usage right to be granted;c) storing said digital work and attached usage rights in a first repository;d) creating and storing said digital ticket in a second repository, said digital ticket itself being an instance of a digital work;e) a third repository obtaining a copy of said digital ticket from said second repository;f) said third repository transmitting a request to access said digital work to said first repository, said request for access specifying said associated one of said plurality of usage rights that specifies said digital ticket;g) said first repository querying said third repository for said digital ticket;h) said third repository confirming possession of said digital ticket to said first repository; andi) said first repository validating said third repository possesses said digital ticket and transmitting said digital work to said third repository.