Patent ID: 6944600

Claim:
In a computer controlled system for the distribution of digital works, a method for controlling the number of times that a usage right attached to a digital work may be exercised, said method comprising the steps of: a) creating a digital work; b) defining a usage right for said digital work, said usage right specifying a digital ticket indicating a predetermined number of times that said usage right may be exercised, said digital ticket being intangible and nonmagnetic; c) creating said digital ticket with an indicator of said predetermined number; d) storing said digital work, said usage right and said digital ticket in a first repository; e) a second repository transmitting a request to access said digital work to said first repository, said request specifying said usage right; f) said first repository determining if said digital ticket for said usage right indicates that said usage right has been exercised said predetermined number of times; g) if said digital ticket indicates that said usage right has been exercised said predetermined number of times, said firs repository denying access to said digital work; h) if said digital ticket indicates that said usage right has not been exercise said predetermined number of times, said first repository granting access to said digital work; and i) said first repository punching said digital ticket to indicate a instance of exercising said usage right.