Patent ID: 7260556

Claim:
A system for controlling distribution and use of digital content in accordance with rights that are enforced by a repository, said system comprising: a storage for storing digital content; a communications network; a first repository, comprising: means for requesting access to the digital content stored in said storage; and means for granting a manner of use of plural manners of use of requested digital content in accordance with rights specified for governing use of the requested digital content, wherein the means for granting a manner of use of the requested digital content enforces the specified rights during use of the digital content, and the means for granting a manner of use of the requested digital content is separate from the requested digital content; and a second repository communicating with the first repository over the communications network, the second repository comprising: means for determining whether the first repository is permitted to receive the digital content specified by a request from the first repository; means for granting access to the digital content, if the first repository is permitted to receive the digital content specified by the request from the first repository; and means for transmitting the digital content from the storage to the first repository only if the first repository is permitted to receive the digital content.