Patent ID: 8122128

Claim:
A system for regulating access to content provided by a content server, the system comprising: a controller node configured to control access to the content provided by the content server, the controller node comprising: a first processor configured to generate controller instructions to allow access to one or more particular content files provided by the content server, wherein the controller instructions are configured to be executed by a plurality of gateway units, remotely disposed from the controller node and the content server, and coupled to the controller node and the content server via a network, to regulate access to the one or more particular content files provided by the content server, by subscriber terminals selectively coupled to the gateway units, including distributedly implementing a digital rights management service on behalf of the controller node; and a first network interface coupled to the first processor, and configured to transmit the controller instructions to the gateway units over the network, wherein subsequent to receipt of the controller instructions, the gateway units to receive a user request for the one or more particular content files and in response, to provide the one or more particular content files to the user prior to further input or instruction from the controller node; wherein each of the plurality of gateway units is located at a subscriber location and is further configured to be tamper resistant with respect to access of the controller node provided controller instructions by the subscriber terminals, wherein at least one of the tamper resistant gateway units comprise: a housing; a detector configured to detect an attempt to open the housing; and a storage device configured to store the controller instructions; and a second processor configured to prevent access to the storage device when the detector detects an attempt to open the housing, in accordance with the controller instructions.