Patent ID: 7515710

Claim:
A content distribution network, comprising: a registration server including a memory containing a base key, where the registration server is connected to a network; a content server connected to the network and to a trusted and opaque system, where the trusted and opaque system includes a memory containing the base key and is configured to prevent access to the base key by the content server; and a playback device including a read only memory containing the base key, and a non-volatile memory, where the playback devices is connected to the network; wherein the registration server is configured to provide the playback device with unique activation information; wherein the playback device is configured to store the unique activation information in the non-volatile memory; wherein the playback device is configured to request content from the content server; wherein the content server is configured to issue technically protected content including a playback certification; wherein the content server is configured to obtain the playback certification from the trusted system, where the playback certification includes information enabling playback of the technically protected content that is accessible using the unique activation information and the base key; and wherein the playback device is configured to use the unique activation information, the base key, and the playback certification to playback the technically protected content.