Patent ID: 8300818

Claim:
A machine-implemented method for effectively protecting electronic content, Comprising the steps of: coordinating a channel setup procedure with a channel setup module to create a secure communications channel; utilizing a source DRM module to generate and transmit a content key from a content drive to a display module over said secure communications channel, said source DRM module being solely responsible for generating and transmitting said content key without negotiations with any destination entity; initiating a content playback procedure with a content playback module for utilizing said electronic content, said source DRM module responsively encrypting said electronic content with said content key, said channel setup module and said content playback module being unable to access or utilize said content key; and receiving said electronic content with a destination DRM module over said secure communications channel, said destination DRM module utilizing said content key to decrypt said electronic content, said channel setup module and said content playback module being implemented as Open Source software programs that comply with an Open Source standard that requires non-proprietary and public access to source code and other information from said Open Source software programs and corresponding host electronic devices.