Patent ID: 7836301

Claim:
A method for distributing a password protected content file without revealing to a recipient a password that protects the password protected content file, comprising steps of: a. distributing from one or more owner's computer to a recipient's computer an unlocking program having a password embedded within the unlocking program, the password corresponding to the password that protects the password protected content file; and b. distributing the password protected content file from the one or more owner's computer to the recipient's computer wherein the unlocking program includes logic that when executed by the recipient's computer causes the unlocking program to run separately from and monitor at least one application program and to automatically supply the password embedded within the unlocking program to the at least one application program upon the at least one application program loading the password protected content file wherein the password embedded within the unlocking program is not revealed to a recipient using the recipient's computer such that the recipient cannot learn the password.