Patent ID: 8271555

Claim:
A system for external monitoring of networked digital file sharing to track predetermined data content, the system implemented on an electronic processor, the system comprising: at least one surveillance element for distribution over said network and monitoring at said electronic processor, said surveillance elements comprising: search functionality for nodewise searching of said networked digital file sharing; and identification functionality associated with said search functionality for identification of said predetermined data content, therewith to determine whether a given file sharing system is distributing said predetermined data content, said search functionality being operable to carry out searching at one member of the group consisting of a low level of a network protocol, a high level of a network protocol and an application level, wherein said surveillance element comprises a second surveillance element and comprises interception functionality for intercepting data transport on said network, and wherein said identification functionality is associated with said interception functionality for finding an indication of said data content within said intercepted data transport.